Closing device for a vehicle ventilation grille

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closing device (1) for a ventilation grille of a vehicle, comprising a frame (5) configured to delimit a passage (3) allowing an air flow (4) to pass therethrough and a closing flap (6) comprising a shaft (8), said closing flap (6) being able to pivot between a first position in which the closing flap (6) prohibits the passage of the air flow (4) and a second position in which the closing flap (6) allows the passage of the air flow (4), the frame (5) comprising a bearing (12) forming a pivot connection with the closing flap (6), characterized in that the shaft (8) of the closing flap (6) comprises an end (13) of elliptical cylindrical section configured to be inserted within the bearing (12) according to a third position of the flap shutter (6). (figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Closing device for a vehicle ventilation grille

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of thermal regulation devices, and more particularly concerns a front face light assembly of a vehicle intended to be crossed by an air flow.

[0002] Vehicles, and in particular motor vehicles, are commonly equipped with a front end assembly capable of being traversed by an air flow. This air flow is used, for example, to carry out a heat exchange with a front end heat exchanger so as to operate an air conditioning and / or cooling system or a radiator. Such front assemblies may comprise systems for controlling this air flow, commonly designated by the English acronym AGS for "Active Grille Shutter". They make it possible in particular to increase the coefficient of penetration into the air when the engine does not need to be cooled by an external air flow, which makes it possible to reduce fuel consumption and the pollution emitted by the vehicle.

[0003] These air flow control systems are generally formed of a grid within which passages are provided to allow the air flow to pass. The system further comprises one or more controlled shutters so as to allow or prohibit the passage of the air flow through the passages provided in the grid, in particular to reduce the coefficient of penetration into the air when the shutters prohibit the passage of the air flow.

[0004] Car manufacturers are constantly improving their vehicles. These improvements also concern such front end assemblies and include, in particular, the installation of elements ensuring better fixing of the shutters at the grille level.

[0005] The present invention falls within this context and as such proposes a closure device for a ventilation grille of a vehicle, comprising a frame configured to delimit a passage allowing an air flow to pass therethrough and at least one closure flap comprising a shaft, said closure flap being capable of pivoting between a first position in which the closure flap prohibits the passage of the air flow and a second position in which the closure flap allows the passage of the air flow, the frame comprising at least one bearing centered around an axis of rotation and forming a pivot connection with the closure flap, characterized in that the shaft of the closure flap comprises an end of elliptical cylindrical section configured to be inserted within the bearing according to a third position of the flap different shutter from the first position and the second position.

[0006] The closure device according to the invention thus guarantees easy and secure assembly, the third position being used only for installing the closure flap within the bearing. Furthermore, the elliptical cylindrical section guarantees that the number of contact points between the end of the shaft of the closure flap and the bearing is limited.

[0007] The frame delimits access to an air flow, for example when the vehicle is in the rolling phase. The air flow can thus pass through the passage with the aim of subsequently carrying out a heat treatment by passing through a heat exchanger within which a fluid circulates for example.

[0008] The shutter is positioned across the passage and is pivotable within the bearing between the first position and the second position. When the shutter is positioned in the first position, it closes the passage and interposes itself in the path of the air flow in order to prevent the latter from passing through the passage. The first position is used when it is not necessary to bring an air flow through the ventilation grille of the vehicle. The passage is then closed to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

[0009] Pivoting to the second position pivots the flap which is then mainly oriented parallel or substantially parallel to the air flow, in order to allow the air flow to pass through the passage for the purpose of heat treatment.

[0010] The bearing allows the shutter to be mounted opposite the passage and allows it to pivot between the first position and the second position. The bearing is structured so as to receive the elliptical cylindrical section end of the shaft of the shutter but only when said end is oriented so as to be able to be inserted into the bearing, that is to say when the shutter is positioned according to the third position. Subsequently, the shutter pivots between the first position and the second position, it is therefore not possible for the elliptical cylindrical end to detach unexpectedly from the bearing.

[0011] According to a characteristic of the invention, the elliptical cylindrical section is in contact with the bearing at two discrete and diametrically opposed points when the shutter is in the first position or in the second position. Due to its elliptical shape, the number of contact points between the shaft of the shutter and the bearing is limited, thus resulting in a significant reduction in friction when the shutter pivots between the first position and the second position. This makes it possible to avoid potential problems of partial opening or closing in the long term.

[0012] According to a characteristic of the invention, the frame bearing comprises an opening allowing access to a circular cavity of the bearing, the opening being sized to allow the insertion of the end of the shutter shaft only according to the third position of the shutter. As stated previously, the end of the shaft has an elliptical cylindrical section. In other words, depending on the orientation of the shutter shaft and the dimensions of the opening, the elliptical cylindrical section is suitable for insertion into the bearing or not. The opening is therefore configured to allow the insertion of the elliptical cylindrical end only when the latter is oriented according to a particular orientation, that is to say when the shutter is oriented according to the third position or substantially according to the third position. If the shutter is oriented differently, the opening is too small to allow the insertion of the end of the shaft due to the orientation of the elliptical cylindrical section.Similarly, once the end is inserted, if the shutter is oriented other than the third position, the opening is too small to allow the shaft end to exit.

[0013] According to a characteristic of the invention, a width of the elliptical cylindrical section is strictly greater than a width of the opening. The width corresponds to the smallest dimension of the elliptical cylindrical section. During insertion, the latter is therefore oriented so that the width of the elliptical cylindrical section is parallel to the width of the opening. Although the width of the elliptical cylindrical section is strictly greater than the width of the opening, a portion of the bearing delimiting the opening has a mechanical tolerance guaranteeing the insertion of the end of the shaft.

[0014] According to a characteristic of the invention, the opening comprises an angular sector of 60° + / - 5° relative to a center of the elliptical cylindrical section of the end of the shaft.

[0015] According to a characteristic of the invention, an alignment of the center of the elliptical cylindrical section and a center of the opening forms a first straight line, while an alignment of the discrete points of the elliptical cylindrical section forms a second straight line, the first straight line and the second straight line forming an angle of 45° + / -10% when the shutter is positioned according to the first position, the first straight line and the second straight line forming an angle of 135° + / -10% when the shutter is positioned according to the second position, the first straight line and the second straight line being merged when the shutter is positioned according to the third position.

[0016] According to a characteristic of the invention, the shutter is configured to pivot between the first position and the second position without passing through the third position. Such a configuration ensures safety with regard to maintaining the shaft of the shutter within the bearing. Indeed, the third position is implemented for the insertion of the end of the shaft into the bearing and is theoretically no longer put subsequently implemented during operation of the shutter device. Thus there is no risk of the end of the shaft becoming detached from the bearing during use of the shutter device, and more particularly when pivoting the shutter between the first position and the second position.

[0017] According to a characteristic of the invention, at least one shutter comprises an actuating lever configured to operate the pivoting of said shutter. The shutter lever may be a protrusion projecting from the shutter and actuable to pivot the shutter in order to alternate between the first position and the second position as required.

[0018] According to a characteristic of the invention, the closure device comprises a plurality of closure flaps, each closure flap being provided with two ends of elliptical cylindrical section, each closure flap being configured to partially close the passage, the closure device comprising a plurality of first bearings arranged on a first side of the frame and a plurality of second bearings arranged on a second side of the frame, said bearings being capable of receiving one of the ends of elliptical cylindrical section. In general, the passage has dimensions that a single closure flap cannot cover. Thus, several closure flaps can be superimposed on each other in a direction perpendicular to the air flow passing through the passage.Furthermore, the shutters are advantageously synchronized with each other, that is to say that they all pivot simultaneously from the first position to the second position or vice versa, the passage having to be completely open or completely closed depending on the need.

[0019] According to a characteristic of the invention, each shutter comprises an actuating lever, the shutter device comprising at least one actuating arm mechanically linking the actuating levers of each shutter. The actuating arm makes it possible to transmit its movement to all of the actuating levers simultaneously. Such a configuration is more advantageous than individually controlling each shutter, which consumes more energy and presents a risk of loss of synchronization.

[0020] The invention also covers a method of mounting a closure device as described above, during which: - the shutter is positioned in the third position, - the end of the shutter shaft is inserted into the bearing by a movement perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the bearing, - the shutter is pivoted to the first position or to the second position.

[0021] As previously described, the third position is advantageously the only position of the shutter allowing the insertion of the elliptical cylindrical end of the shaft into the bearing. Once the insertion has been carried out, a pivoting to another position is implemented and the third position is ideally no longer reproduced thereafter.

[0022] 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:

[0023] [Fig-1] is a general front view of a closure device according to the invention, comprising at least one shutter capable of pivoting between a first position and a second position,

[0024] [Fig.2] is a schematic view partially showing a method of mounting the shutter device,

[0025] [Fig.3] is a view of the shutter device with the shutter flap positioned in a third position different from the first position and the second position,

[0026] [Fig.4] is a view of the shutter device with the shutter flap positioned in the first position,

[0027] [Fig.5] is a view of the shutter device with the shutter flap positioned in the second position.

[0028] [Fig.l] represents a closing device 1 seen from the front and positioned at the level of a ventilation grille 2 of a vehicle. The ventilation grille 2 constitutes a passage 3 ensuring a possible engulfment of an air flow 4 within the vehicle. The ventilation grille 2 can therefore be arranged on a front face of the vehicle so that the air flow 4 can engulf it when the vehicle is in the rolling phase.

[0029] The closure device 1 comprises a frame 5 participating in delimiting the passage 3, as well as a plurality of closure flaps 6 arranged opposite the ventilation grille 2. The closure flaps 6 are able to pivot between a first position, called the closed position, and a second position, called the open position. The first position prohibits the circulation of the air flow 4 through the passage 3 while the second position authorizes the circulation of the air flow 4 through the passage 3. In [Fig.l], the closure flaps 6 are therefore positioned according to the second position, the circulation of the air flow 4 being possible through the passage 3. The air flow 4 can pass through the passage 3 for the purpose of carrying out a heat treatment of an element arranged within the vehicle, for example a heat exchanger of a heat treatment system of said vehicle.

[0030] In a manner not illustrated, when the shutters 6 pivot from the second position to the first position, the set of shutters 6 pivot so as to interpose themselves entirely between the passage 3 and the external environment, in order to prevent the air flow 4 from circulating through said passage 3. Such a configuration is used when it is not necessary to circulate the air flow 4 within the vehicle, the passage 3 then being closed to prevent any circulation of air in the vehicle and thus improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

[0031] The closure device 1 comprises any number of closure flaps 6. In [Fig.l], the closure device 1 comprises three rows of two closure flaps 6 each. Each closure flap 6 pivots about an axis of rotation 7 and as such comprises a shaft 8 centered about said axis of rotation 7. As illustrated in [Fig.l], the closure flaps 6 of the same row can share the same shaft 8. Thus, it is sufficient to pivot one of the closure flaps 6 so that all of the closure flaps 6 sharing the same shaft 8 also pivot.

[0032] Advantageously, all of the shutters 6 are actuated simultaneously, in order to completely authorize or prohibit the passage of the air flow 4 in the passage. Some of these shutters 6 therefore comprise an actuating lever 9 projecting from the shutter 6 and allowing the pivoting of said shutter 6 and, indirectly, of the shutter 6 sharing the same shaft 8. In addition, the shutter device 1 comprises an actuating arm 10 mechanically connecting the actuating levers 9. Thus, in order to pivot all of the shutters 6, only the actuation of the actuating arm 10 is sufficient to modify the position of all of the shutters 6 of the shutter device 1. The shutter device 1 may therefore comprise a control member 11 configured to actuate the actuating arm 10 when it is necessary to open or close the passage 3.

[0033] In order to mechanically maintain the shutters 6 in the frame 5, the latter comprises at least one bearing 12 configured to receive one end 13 of the shaft 8 of one of the shutters 6. In [Fig.l], each shutter 6 comprises an end 13 housed in a bearing 12 of the frame 5. The latter thus comprises as many bearings 12 as there are shutters 6. It is however possible for the two ends 13 of each shutter 6 to be inserted respectively within a first bearing 12 and a second bearing 12. The axis of rotation 7 is an axis of rotation of the bearing 12, around which the shaft 8 is centered.

[0034] As will be described in detail below, the end 13 and the bearing 12 within which the end 13 is inserted are configured so that the end 13 can be inserted and mechanically held in a durable manner in the bearing 12. This being done, the bearing 12 and the shutter 6 form a pivot connection.

[0035] [Fig. 2] is a side view of one of the shutters 6 and one of the bearings 12 and allows a partial illustration of a method of mounting the closure device 1.

[0036] It is indeed possible to observe that the end 13 has an elliptical cylindrical section 14 while the bearing 12 comprises an opening 15 delimiting a circular cavity 16.

[0037] It is within the circular cavity 16 that the end 13 of the shaft 8 is arranged once inserted into the bearing 12. For this, the end 13 of the shaft 8 of the shutter 6 is inserted by a movement perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the bearing 12. Due to the elliptical cylindrical section 14, the end 13 differs in its width depending on the position of the shutter 6. However, the opening 15 of the bearing 12 is configured so that the end 13 can only be inserted into the circular cavity 16 when the elliptical cylindrical section 14 is oriented so that the width is as small as possible, that is to say when the ellipse of the elliptical cylindrical section 14 is arranged vertically as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0038] In such a configuration, to carry out the insertion of the end 13, the closing flap 6 is positioned in a third position different from the first position and the second position mentioned previously and which, as a reminder, correspond respectively to the closed position and the open position.

[0039] The width of the elliptical cylindrical section 14 is strictly greater than a width of the opening 15 so that insertion is only possible when the shutter 6 is positioned in the third position, a portion of the bearing 12 delimiting the opening 15 having a mechanical tolerance ensuring insertion despite the difference in width.

[0040] Once the end 13 is inserted into the circular cavity 16, the shutter 6 and the bearing 12 are as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. Furthermore, [Fig. 4] and [Fig. 5] show the shutter 6 respectively positioned according to the first position and the second position when the end 13 is inserted into the bearing 12. Thus, once the end 13 is inserted into the bearing 12, the shutter 6 is subsequently pivoted to be positioned according to the first position or according to the second position.

[0041] When the shutter 6 is positioned in the first position or in the second position, the elliptical cylindrical section 14 is in contact with the bearing 12 at two discrete and diametrically opposite points 17. This has the advantage of limiting the contact between the end 13 and the bearing 12 to only these two discrete points 17, and thus greatly reducing the friction between the end 13 and the bearing 12, thus preventing any pivoting defect that could occur in the case of a larger contact area.

[0042] The width of the opening 15 is such that once the end 13 is inserted into the bearing 12, the opening 15 comprises an angular sector 18 of 60° + / - 5° relative to a center of the elliptical cylindrical section 14 of the end 13 of the shaft 8, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0043] In addition, a first straight line 19 and a second straight line 20 are shown in Figures 3 to 5. The first straight line 19 results from an alignment of the center of the elliptical cylindrical section 14 and a center of the opening 15 and is therefore always oriented in the same way, regardless of the position of the shutter 6. The second straight line 20 results from an alignment of the discrete points 17 of the elliptical cylindrical section 14 and its orientation therefore varies depending on the position of the shutter, given that the elliptical cylindrical section pivots in a synchronized manner with the pivoting of the shutter 6.

[0044] When the shutter 6 is oriented according to the first position, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the first straight line 19 and the second straight line 20 form an angle 21 of 45° + / -10%. When the shutter 6 is oriented according to the second position, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], the first straight line 19 and the second straight line 20 form an angle 21 of 135° + / -10%. When the shutter 6 is oriented according to the third position, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the first straight line 19 and the second straight line 20 are coincident with each other.

[0045] Finally, the pivoting between two positions is schematically represented in [Fig. 5]. The orientation of the elliptical cylindrical section 14 when the shutter 6 is positioned according to the first position is represented in dotted lines in [Fig. 5]. To pivot to the second position, the shutter 6 performs a movement in a pivoting direction 22 represented in [Fig. 5] by an arrow. To pivot from the second position to the first position, the movement of the shutter is similar but is in a pivoting direction opposite to the pivoting direction 22 illustrated in [Fig. 5].

[0046] It is thus understood that during operation of the closure device, that is to say during pivoting between the first position and the second position of the closure flap(s) 6, the elliptical cylindrical section 14 of the end 13 also pivots but without passing through the third position as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. Once the end 13 is inserted into the bearing 12, there is therefore no risk of the latter coming off unexpectedly given that the third position is the only position allowing the end 13 to exit from the bearing 12 and that it is never implemented during operation of the closure device. This greatly reinforces the mechanical retention of the closure flap(s) 6 within the bearing(s) 12.

[0047] 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.

[0048] The invention, as just described, achieves the aim it set itself, and makes it possible to propose a closure device comprising a frame and one or more closure flaps mechanically linked to the frame in a simple, secure manner and limiting friction. Variants not described here could be implemented without departing from the context of the invention, provided that, in accordance with the invention, they comprise a closure device in accordance with the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A closure device (1) for a ventilation grille (2) of a vehicle, comprising a frame (5) configured to delimit a passage (3) allowing an air flow (4) to pass therethrough and at least one closure flap (6) comprising a shaft (8), said closure flap (6) being able to pivot between a first position in which the closure flap (6) prevents the passage of the air flow (4) and a second position in which the closure flap (6) allows the passage of the air flow (4), the frame (5) comprising at least one bearing (12) centered around an axis of rotation (7) and forming a pivot connection with the closure flap (6), characterized in that the shaft (8) of the closure flap (6) comprises an end (13) of elliptical cylindrical section (14) configured to be inserted within the bearing (12) according to a third position of the shutter (6) different from the first position and the second position.

2. A closure device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the elliptical cylindrical section (14) is in contact with the bearing (12) at two discrete and diametrically opposite points (17) when the closure flap (6) is in the first position or in the second position.

3. A closure device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bearing (12) of the frame (5) comprises an opening (15) allowing access to a circular cavity (16) of the bearing (12), the opening (15) being sized to allow insertion of the end (13) of the shaft (8) of the closure flap (6) only according to the third position of the closure flap (6).

4. A sealing device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein a width of the elliptical cylindrical section (14) is strictly greater than a width of the opening (15).

5. A sealing device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the opening (15) comprises an angular sector (18) of 60° + / - 5° relative to a center of the elliptical cylindrical section (14) of the end (13) of the shaft (8).

6. A sealing device (1) according to the preceding claim, in combination with claim 2, wherein an alignment of the center of the elliptical cylindrical section (14) and a center of the opening (15) forms a first straight line (19), while an alignment of the discrete points (17) of the elliptical cylindrical section (14) forms a second straight line (20), the first straight line (19) and the second straight line (20) forming an angle of 45° + / -10% when the shutter (6) is positioned according to the first position, the first straight line (19) and the second straight line (20) forming an angle of 135° + / -10% when the shutter (6) is positioned according to the second position, the first straight line (19) and the second straight line (20) being merged when the shutter (6) is positioned according to the third position.

7. A closure device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure flap (6) is configured to pivot between the first position and the second position without passing through the third position.

8. A closure device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one closure flap (6) comprises an actuating lever (9) configured to operate the pivoting of said closure flap (6).

9. A closure device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of closure flaps (6), each closure flap (6) being provided with two ends (13) of elliptical cylindrical section (14), each closure flap (6) being configured to partially close the passage (3), the closure device (1) comprising a plurality of first bearings (12) arranged on a first side of the frame (5) and a plurality of second bearings (12) arranged on a second side of the frame (5), said bearings (12) being capable of receiving one of the ends (13) of elliptical cylindrical section (14).

10. A closure device (1) according to the preceding claim, combined with claim 8, wherein each closure flap (6) comprises an actuating lever (9), the closure device (1) comprising at least one actuating arm (10) mechanically linking the actuating levers (9) of each closure flap (6).

11. Method for mounting a closure device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, during which: - the closure flap (6) is positioned in the third position, - the end (13) of the shaft (8) of the closure flap (6) is inserted into the bearing (12) by a movement perpendicular to the axis of rotation (7) of the bearing (12), the shutter (6) is pivoted to the first position or to the second position.

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