Modular motor vehicle grille

Abstract

The invention relates to a grille comprising: an upper cross member and an opposite lower cross member, connected together by two uprights (28) defining a transverse opening (30), the cross members and the uprights defining a rear face (34); at least one row (56, 60, 64) of flaps extending transversely in said transverse opening (30), the flaps (58, 65, 62, 66) being adapted to be driven between a vertical position in which said flaps close said transverse opening (30) and an inclined position in which they release said transverse opening. The grille comprises at least one rod (96, 98, 100) mounted in engagement in said flaps (58, 65, 62, 66); and said at least one rod (96, 98, 100) is adapted to be driven in pivoting backwards around an axis parallel to said crosspieces, so as to be able to carry said flaps (56, 60, 64) from their vertical position to their inclined position.Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Modular motor vehicle grille

[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 cool the elements of the powertrain.

[0003] Thus, the grille, installed in the front face of vehicles, usually includes an air intake opening equipped with a grid which extends transversely. Also, the dimensions of the opening are predefined and they offer a compromise between good ventilation of the powertrain and a good coefficient of penetration into the air of 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 to improve aerodynamics. 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 was imagined to implement movable shutters pivoting across the opening. The variable shutter position, automatically controlled, allows for high-speed shuttering, promoting aerodynamics, or open positions allowing the passage of air when cooling of the powertrain is required.

[0006] Reference may be made in particular to document FR3136048, which discloses such adjustable shutters. More specifically, it discloses four rows of four shutters, located one above the other, and extending into the transverse opening.

[0007] The shutters of each of the rows are linked together in rotation about a horizontal axis, and the shutters of the four rows are controllable simultaneously. Also, they are capable of being driven in rotation, between a vertical position in which the shutters close the opening and a horizontal position in which they release it.

[0008] However, the flaps of the four rows are substantially coplanar, and their implementation is poorly suited to a curved profile of the front of the vehicle.

[0009] Furthermore, 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 of the shutters with respect to the edges of the opening.

[0010] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide a motor vehicle grille which not only allows one to be able to conform to the curve of the front of vehicles, but also, which helps to protect people in the event of a collision.

[0011] For this purpose, a motor vehicle grille is proposed comprising: an upper cross member and an opposite lower cross member, connected together by two uprights defining a transverse opening, the cross members and the uprights defining a rear face adapted to be oriented towards the rear of a vehicle; at least one row of flaps secured to each other and extending transversely in said transverse opening, the flaps of said at least one row of flaps being adapted to be driven between a vertical position in which said flaps close said transverse opening and an inclined position in which said flaps release said transverse opening.

[0012] The grille according to the invention comprises at least one rod mounted in engagement in said flaps of said at least one row of flaps; and said at least one rod is adapted to be driven in pivoting towards the rear of said crosspieces and said uprights, around an axis parallel to said crosspieces, so as to be able to carry said flaps from their vertical position to their inclined position.

[0013] Thus, a characteristic of the invention lies in the implementation of a rod passing through all the shutters of the row, which shutters are linked in rotation with the rod. In this way, when the rod is driven in pivoting towards the rear of the crosspieces and the uprights, it thereby drives the shutters towards the rear of the transverse opening. Consequently, the edge of the shutters does not extend beyond the edges of the opening.

[0014] Preferably, according to the invention, said at least one rod is adapted to be driven in rotation on itself relative to said uprights. In other words, as the rod is driven in pivoting towards the rear of the crosspieces, it also pivots on itself. In this way, the flaps engaged in the rod tilt towards the rear as will be explained in more detail in the remainder of the description.

[0015] In addition, said at least one rod is flexible. In this way, the rod can be bent, while the flaps are articulated relative to each other following the curvature of the rod. For example, the flaps are articulated two by two around a ball joint through which the rod passes. Thanks to this method of implementation, it is easy to form a curved grille at the front of the motor vehicle. And the curve of the grille can be adjusted by bending the flexible rod more or less as will be explained in more detail below.

[0016] According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the grille comprises at least one pair of connecting rods mounted respectively to pivot on said uprights facing one another, and said at least one rod engages in the connecting rods. Thus, the rod has two opposite ends which are mounted in engagement in an eccentric end of the connecting rods. In this way, when the rod is pivoted backwards, the connecting rods allow it to be guided.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the grille comprises a drive frame connected to said uprights and to said at least one rod, and said drive frame is adapted to be driven in movement relative to said uprights in order to be able to drive said at least one rod backwards. In this way, when the drive frame is driven in movement, it causes the movement of the rod, which is preferably guided in pivoting by means of the connecting rods.

[0018] Advantageously, according to the invention, said drive frame comprises two cheeks respectively connected to said two uprights by two pairs of connecting rods. The two pairs of connecting rods thus make it possible to keep the drive frame substantially parallel to the two uprights and to the two crosspieces during its movement. The drive frame then describes a portion of cylindrical surface.

[0019] The connecting rods of the two pairs of connecting rods are mounted respectively opposite each other on the uprights.

[0020] Preferably, according to the invention, the grille comprises a transmission shaft coupling in rotation two connecting rods of said two pairs of connecting rods, and a geared motor connected to said transmission shaft to be able to drive it in rotation.

[0021] Thus, two facing connecting rods are connected together by a transmission shaft. The transmission shaft is then adapted to be driven by a geared motor. In this way, the transmission shaft can be controlled in rotation so as to pivotally drive the two facing connecting rods. The two facing connecting rods then cause the movement of the drive frame, the other two facing connecting rods then accompanying the rotational movement of the drive frame.

[0022] Preferably, the two connecting rods of each upright are coupled together by a coupling bar. In this way, the movement imparted to one of them by the geared motor is transmitted without mechanical loss to the other connecting rod.

[0023] Furthermore, each of said two cheeks advantageously has at least one support notch opening towards the rear to receive said at least one rod. As will be explained in more detail in the remainder of the description, the two cheeks engage respectively at the two ends of the rod. And the connecting rods remain respectively between the cheeks and the uprights.

[0024] Thus, when the drive frame is driven backwards, the two ends of the rod held in a fixed position in the bottom of the notches are driven backwards in a pivoting manner. At the same time, the flaps are also driven in a pivoting manner towards the rear.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the invention, said drive frame further comprises a median upright, in particular located equidistant from said two cheeks, said median upright comprising at least one support finger oriented away from the rear and bearing against said at least one rod. In this way, the support finger allows the rod to be deflected. The two ends of the rod are in fact supported in the bottom of the notches of the cheeks, and the length of the support finger then determines the amplitude of the deflection. The deflection is thus produced according to the desired curve of the grille and the type of vehicle.

[0026] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the grille according to the invention comprises: three rows of flaps extending transversely one above the other in said transverse opening, the flaps of said three rows being able to cooperate with each other; three rods mounted respectively in engagement in each of the flaps of said three rows of flaps. And said three rods are adapted to be driven in pivoting towards the rear of said crosspieces and said uprights, around axes parallel to said crosspieces between a vertical position in which the flaps of said three rows close said transverse opening and an inclined position in which the flaps of said three rows release said transverse opening.

[0027] As will be explained in more detail below, the flaps of the rows are adapted to cooperate with each other in order to form a continuous surface adapted to close the transverse opening.

[0028] For example, the shutters all have the same hexagonal diamond shape. Thus, the shutters of the same row, regularly spaced from each other, are inserted between the shutters of the adjoining rows.

[0029] Any other form of shutters can be envisaged. Furthermore, the object of the invention is not limited to a grille having three rows of shutters.

[0030] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention, given for informational purposes but not as a limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0031] [Fig.l] is a schematic front view of a motor vehicle equipped with a grille according to the invention;

[0032] [Fig.2] is a schematic exploded perspective view of a grille conforming to the invention;

[0033] [Fig.3] is a schematic detail view of elements of [Fig.2] in rear view;

[0034] [Fig.4A] is a schematic view of elements of [Fig.2] in top view in a first state;

[0035] [Fig.4B] is a schematic view of the elements of [Fig.4A] in top view in a second state;

[0036] [Fig.5A] is a partial schematic three-quarter front right view of a grille according to the invention in a first state;

[0037] [Fig.5B] is a partial schematic three-quarter front right view of a grille according to the invention in a second state; and,

[0038] [Fig.6] is a schematic left rear three-quarter view of the grille illustrated on [Fig.5A] in the first state.

[0039] [Fig.l] shows a motor vehicle 10, seen from the front, and it is inscribed in an orthogonal reference frame X, Y, Z, in which the X axis extends in a longitudinal front-rear direction of the motor vehicle, oriented towards the rear; the Y axis extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle, oriented from left to right when in a rolling situation; and the Z axis extends in a vertical direction, oriented away from the ground.

[0040] 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 unit not shown and located behind the grille 12.

[0041] The grille which is the subject of the invention will be described with reference to [Fig. 2], which corresponds to the lower part 16 shown in [Fig. 1].

[0042] Illustrated in [Fig. 2] is a first frame 20 intended to be fitted to the front of the motor vehicle 10. It has a lower cross member 22 and an opposite upper cross member 24. And the two cross members 22, 24 are connected together on each side by a right upright 26 and an opposite left upright 28. Thus, the two cross members 22, 24, and the two uprights 26, 28 delimit a transverse opening 30.

[0043] It will be observed that the two crosspieces 22, 24 are substantially curved. In other words, they have a curvature adapted to the geometry of the front part of the vehicle 10.

[0044] Also, the first frame 20 has a front face 32 opposite a rear face 34.

[0045] The front face 32 is in the open air at the front of the vehicle 10. And the rear face is oriented towards the interior of the vehicle and in particular towards a heat exchanger.

[0046] Furthermore, the lower crosspiece 22 defines a substantially rectilinear lower edge 36, while the upper crosspiece 24 has a notched upper edge 38.

[0047] Furthermore, the right upright 26 has three right orifices 40, 42, 44 aligned along the direction of the upright and regularly spaced from each other. And the left upright 28 has, symmetrically, three aligned left orifices 40', 42', 44'. Each of these orifices is surrounded on the external face of the uprights 26, 28 by a clipping rib 46, 46', the role of which will be explained below.

[0048] In addition, the uprights 26, 28 respectively comprise a lower right drilling 48, and a lower left drilling 48' surmounted respectively by a lower right arcuate notch 50 and a lower left arcuate notch 50'.

[0049] And to the right of these lower holes 48, 48', the uprights 26, 28 respectively have an upper right-hand trunnion 52 and an upper left-hand trunnion 52', surmounted respectively by an upper notch in a right arch 54 and an upper notch in a left arch 54'.

[0050] Then, behind the first frame 20, [Fig.2] illustrates three superimposed rows of flaps, a lower row 56 of lower flaps 58, an intermediate row 60 of intermediate flaps 62 and an upper row 64 of upper flaps 66.

[0051] Reference will be made to [Fig.3] showing in detail in rear view two contiguous upper flaps 66 of the upper row 64.

[0052] Thus, the flaps 66 have a general shape of a “hexagonal diamond” having four substantially equal sides, two lower sides 68, 70 inclined relative to each other and two upper sides 72, 74 inclined relative to each other at the same angle as the two lower sides 68, 70. In addition, the flap 66 has two small opposite sides, a small upper side 76 and a small lower side 78. And it has a front face 80 opposite a rear face 82.

[0053] Thus, the flaps 66 have an upper part 84 symmetrical to a lower part 86 with respect to a transverse plane Pt. In alternative embodiments of the invention not shown, the flaps may have other geometric shapes, for example a square, triangle, diamond shape of a type other than hexagonal, etc.

[0054] The flaps 66 also comprise two coaxial sleeves, a left sleeve 88 and a right sleeve 90. They are integral with the rear face 82 of the upper part 84 and extend respectively coaxially beyond the two upper sides 72, 74. They thus define a passage path that is substantially rectilinear and parallel to the rear face 82.

[0055] These two coaxial sleeves 88, 90 are symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane Pm perpendicular to the transverse plane Pt. In addition, it has a regular hexagonal cross-section.

[0056] Also, the left sleeve 88 ends with a spherical segment 92, while the right sleeve 90 ends with a spherical crown 94 adapted to receive the right sleeve 90 of the neighboring flap 66 to form a ball joint.

[0057] It will be observed in [Fig.2] that behind the three superimposed rows of flaps 56, 60, 64 appear three flexible rods of hexagonal section, a lower rod 96, an intermediate rod 98 and an upper rod 100.

[0058] Thus, we will refer to [Fig.4A] on which is shown, seen from above, the upper row 64 of upper flaps 66, connected together by the upper rod 100.

[0059] Thus, we find the left sleeves 88 and the right sleeves 90, the spherical segments 92 respectively engaged in the spherical crowns 94 and crossed in addition by the upper rod 100.

[0060] The rod 100 engages in all the sleeves 88, 90, since the hexagonal section of the rod corresponds, apart from the functional clearance, to the hexagonal section of the sleeves 88, 90. Also, the flaps 66 are thereby kept spaced from each other by the same pitch and in the same plane, provided that the upper rod 100 extends strictly longitudinally.

[0061] Furthermore, thanks to the spherical segments 92 and the spherical crowns 94, the sleeves of two contiguous flaps 66 are articulated as will be explained below.

[0062] The intermediate flaps 62 of the intermediate row 60 are connected together in the same way by means of the intermediate rod 98 and are offset relative to the upper flaps 66 of the upper row 64 by an amplitude of half a step.

[0063] Therefore, the lower part 86 of the flaps 66 of the upper row 64 engages between the upper parts 84 of the intermediate flaps 62. [Fig.2] shows the cooperation of the upper flaps 66 and the intermediate flaps 62 which are then joined.

[0064] The lower flaps 58 of the lower row 56 are also connected in the same way as the flaps 62 and 66 of the upper rows 60 and 64 by means of the lower rod 96. On the other hand, the lower flaps 58 are connected to each other by a half-flap 65 corresponding to a whole flap cut along its transverse plane. The lower flaps 58 and the half-flaps 65 of the lower row 56 thus form, together, a substantially straight edge, adapted to cooperate with the lower edge 36 of the lower crosspiece 22.

[0065] And, the lower part 86 of the flaps 62 of the intermediate row 60 engages between the upper parts 84 of the lower intermediate flaps 58.

[0066] In the remainder of the description, we will explain how all the flaps are held together.

[0067] Also, behind the flexible rods 96, 98, 100, a drive frame 102 appears in [Fig.2]. It has two opposite cheeks, a right cheek 104 and a left cheek 106.

[0068] The right cheek 104 has three straight notches, a lower notch 108, an intermediate notch 110 and an upper notch 112, all three open towards the rear. And the bottoms of the three straight notches 108, 110, 112, are respectively provided with a lower right ball joint seat 114, a right intermediate ball joint seat 116 and an upper right ball joint seat 118.

[0069] In addition, the right cheek 104 comprises a right upper stud 120 extending projecting above the upper notch 112, and plumb, under the lower notch 108, a right lower stud 122.

[0070] Symmetrically with respect to a median plane of the drive frame Pm', the left cheek 104 has three left notches, a lower notch left 108', a left intermediate notch 110' and a left upper notch 112'. The bottoms of the three left notches 108', 110', 112', are respectively provided with a lower left ball joint seat 114', a left intermediate ball joint seat 116' and a left upper ball joint seat 118'.

[0071] In addition, the right cheek 104 comprises an upper left stud 120' extending projecting above the upper left notch 112', and plumb, under the lower notch 108', a lower left stud 122'.

[0072] Furthermore, the drive frame 102 comprises a median upright 124 extending in the median plane of the drive frame Pm', and equidistant from the two right 104 and left 106 cheeks.

[0073] Also, the middle upright 124 comprises, at the right of the two lower notches 108, 108', a lower support finger 126 oriented towards the front. At the right of the two intermediate notches 110, 110', the middle upright 124 comprises an intermediate support finger 128 oriented towards the front. And, at the right of the two upper notches 112, 112', the middle upright 124 comprises an upper support finger 130 oriented towards the front.

[0074] The three support fingers 126, 128, 130 have a free end in which a notch 132 is formed.

[0075] It will be observed that the notches 132 of the three support fingers 126, 128, 130 are respectively located in front of the three parallel lines intersecting respectively the lower ball joint seats 114, 114', the intermediate ball joint seats 116, 116' and the upper ball joint seats 118, 118'.

[0076] Also, behind the drive frame 102, appear in [Fig.2], right and left connecting elements allowing to connect together the flaps mounted on the flexible rods, the drive frame 102 and the first frame 20, which is in a fixed position on the vehicle 10. These connecting elements also allow the relative movement of the drive frame 102 with respect to the first frame 20 and of the flaps 58, 62, 65, 66 with respect to the drive frame 102.

[0077] The right connecting elements are symmetrical to the left connecting elements. Thus, the right connecting elements firstly comprise three right guide members, a lower right guide member 134, an intermediate right guide member 136 and an upper right guide member 138.

[0078] The straight guide members, lower 134, intermediate 136 and upper 138 have straight pivots adapted to be engaged respectively through the three straight orifices, lower 40, intermediate 42 and upper 44 of the straight upright 26 of the first frame 20. And they each also have a head adapted to clip into the clipping rib 46, to keep the pivot projecting inside the straight upright 26.

[0079] Then, the straight connecting elements comprise three straight links, a lower straight link 140, an intermediate straight link 142 and an upper straight link 144. The three straight links 140, 142, 144 each have a first end in which an oblong slot 146 is formed and a second opposite end provided with a ball joint 148 extending in return.

[0080] Thus, the three pivots of the straight guide members are intended to be engaged respectively through the oblong slots 146 of the three straight connecting rods 140, 142, 144.

[0081] Furthermore, the ball joints 148 have an axial recess of hexagonal section. Thus, the straight ends of the three flexible rods of hexagonal section 96, 98, 100 are adapted to respectively engage axially inside the three ball joints 148.

[0082] In addition, the ball joints 148 of the three right connecting rods 140, 142, 144 are adapted to be mounted respectively in the ball joint seats, lower right 114, intermediate right 116 and upper right 118 of the right cheek 104 of the drive frame 102.

[0083] The right connecting elements also comprise a right lower connecting rod 150 and a right upper connecting rod 152. The right lower connecting rod 150 has a right rotatable lower end 154 adapted to engage with the right end of a transmission shaft 156. The transmission shaft 156 is intended to be engaged through the right lower bore 48 of the right upright 26 and through the left lower bore 48' of the left upright 28. The transmission shaft 156 is thus free to rotate through the right lower bores 48 and left lower bores 48'.

[0084] And the lower right connecting rod has, opposite its rotating lower end 154, a lower right sleeve 158 through which the lower right stud 122 of the right cheek 104 of the drive frame 102 is able to extend.

[0085] As for the upper right connecting rod 152, substantially identical to the lower right connecting rod 150, it has a rotating upper end 160 adapted to be mounted in rotation on the upper right journal 52 of the right upright of the first frame 20. On the other hand, it has an upper right sleeve 162 through which the upper right stud 120 of the cheek 104 is able to extend.

[0086] Furthermore, the straight connecting rods 150, 152 are triangular in shape, the rotating ends 154, 160 and the bushings 158, 162 being respectively located at the two vertices of the triangle. And the straight connecting rods 150, 152 define two other vertices provided with two axes 164, 166 adapted to be connected together by a coupling bar 168.

[0087] Also, the rotary lower end 154 of the right lower connecting rod 150 is adapted to be driven in rotation by a geared motor 170.

[0088] Conversely, the left connecting elements comprise a lower left guide member 134', an intermediate left guide member 136' and an upper left guide member 138'.

[0089] The left, lower 134', intermediate 136' and upper 138' guide members have left pivots adapted to be engaged respectively through the three left, lower 40', intermediate 42' and upper 44' orifices of the left upright 28 of the first frame 20. And they each also have a head adapted to clip into the clipping rib 46', to keep the pivot projecting inside the left upright 28.

[0090] Then, the left connecting elements comprise a lower left connecting rod 140', an intermediate left connecting rod 142' and an upper right connecting rod 144'. They each have a first end in which an oblong slot 146' is formed and a second opposite end provided with a ball joint 148' extending in return. The oblong slot is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the connecting rods.

[0091] The three pivots of the left guide members 134', 136', 138', are intended to be engaged respectively through the oblong slots 146' of the three left connecting rods 140', 142', 144'.

[0092] And the ball joints 148' have an axial recess of hexagonal section. Thus, the left ends of the three flexible rods of hexagonal section 96, 98, 100 are adapted to come into axial engagement respectively inside the three ball joints 148'.

[0093] In addition, the ball joints 148' of the three left connecting rods 140', 142', 144', are adapted to be mounted respectively in the ball joint seats, lower left 114', intermediate left 116' and upper left 118' of the left cheek 106 of the drive frame 102.

[0094] The left connecting elements also comprise a left lower connecting rod 150' and a right upper connecting rod 152'. The left lower connecting rod 150' has a left rotatable lower end 154' adapted to engage with the left end of the transmission shaft 156, which is intended to be engaged through the left lower bore 48' of the left upright 28.

[0095] And the lower left connecting rod 150' has, opposite its lower left rotating end 154', a lower left bushing 158' through which the lower left stud 122' of the left cheek 106 of the drive frame 102 is able to extend.

[0096] As for the upper left connecting rod 152', it has a left rotating upper end 160' adapted to be mounted in rotation on the upper left journal 52' of the left upright 28 of the first frame 20. On the other hand, it has a sleeve upper left 162' through which the upper left stud 120' of the left cheek 106 is able to extend.

[0097] Furthermore, the left connecting rods 150', 152' are triangular in shape, the left rotating ends 154', 160' and the left bushings 158', 162' being respectively located at the two vertices of the triangle. And the left connecting rods 150', 152' define two other vertices provided with two left pins 164', 166' adapted to be connected together by a left coupling bar 168'.

[0098] First of all, reference will be made to [Fig.4B] in which we find the upper row 64 of upper flaps 66 connected to each other by the upper flexible rod 100, as described above. The assembly is then installed inside the drive frame 102. Thus, the two ends of the upper rod 100 are respectively engaged in the right 148 and left 148' ball joints, respectively, of the right 144 and left 144' upper links, not shown, which ball joints 148, 148' are themselves engaged in the right 118 and left 118' upper ball joint seats respectively.

[0099] Furthermore, [Fig.4B] illustrates the upper support finger 130 and the notch 132 in which the upper flexible rod 100 rests in its middle part. As indicated above, the notch 132 of the upper support finger 130 is located in front of the line intersecting the two upper ball joint seats 118, 118'. Thanks to this relative position of the upper ball joint seats 118, 118' and the upper support finger 130 in a plane substantially parallel to the X,Y plane, the flexible rod 100 is flexed. The amplitude of this flexing is thus adapted according to the amplitude of the curve of the front of the motor vehicle.

[0100] This obviously applies to the other rows of shutters.

[0101] We will now refer to [Fig.5A] and [Fig.6] showing respectively all of the elements illustrated in [Fig.1], and this, in a first state where the flaps 58, 62, 65, 66 close the transverse opening 30.

[0102] We thus find partially on [Fig.5A] and three-quarters front right, the grille according to the invention. Also, we find the first frame 20 shown transparent for the purposes of the description.

[0103] In particular, we find the lower left connecting rod 150' and the upper right connecting rod 152'. The left rotating lower end 154' of the lower left connecting rod 150' is engaged with the left end of the transmission shaft 156, which is engaged through the lower left bore 48' of the left upright 28.

[0104] We also find the left upper rotating end 160' of the left upper connecting rod 152', mounted to rotate on the left upper journal 52' of the left upright 28 of the first frame 20.

[0105] It will be observed that the lower left bushing 158' through which the lower left stud 122' extends, is engaged through the lower left arcuate notch 50' of the left upright 28 to the bottom and that the upper left bushing 162' through which the upper left stud 120' extends, is engaged through the upper left arcuate notch 54' to the bottom as well.

[0106] It will be observed that in this situation, the drive frame 102 is in a position close to the rear face 34 of the first frame 20. Also, the three left connecting rods 140', 142', 144' extend in the same substantially vertical direction between the left cheek 106 and the left upright 28. And the flaps 58, 62, 65, 66 of the three superimposed rows 56, 60 and 64 extend vertically and are joined so as to close the transverse opening 30.

[0107] As illustrated in [Fig.6], where the grille is seen from the left rear three-quarters, the drive frame 102 is in a position close to the rear face 34 of the first frame 20 over its entire length. And, the lower right bushing 158 not visible in [Fig.6] is engaged through the lower right arcuate notch 50 of the right upright 26 to the bottom, just like the lower left bushing. Also, the upper right bushing 162 is engaged through the upper right arcuate notch 54 to the bottom.

[0108] And thereby, the three straight connecting rods 140, 142, 144 extend in the same substantially vertical direction, between the right cheek 104 and the right upright 26.

[0109] From this closed position, thanks to the geared motor 170, hidden by the right upright 26 of the frame 20, the right rotating lower end 154, also hidden, can be controlled in rotation. Therefore, the left rotating lower end 154' is also driven in rotation in a clockwise direction according to the arrow R shown in [Fig.6] by means of the transmission shaft 156.

[0110] Consequently, the two lower connecting rods, right 150 and left 150' are concomitantly driven in pivoting in the clockwise direction R, just like the two upper connecting rods right 152 and left 152' by means of the coupling bars, right 168 and left 168', respectively. [YES] Also, the lower 158, 158' and upper 162, 162' sockets are simultaneously driven into motion respectively in the lower arc notches 50, 50' and in the upper arc notches 54, 54'.

[0112] By this, the drive frame 102 is spaced from the rear face 34 of the first frame 20 while remaining parallel to it. And, it is driven both according to a longitudinal component X and according to a component -Z.

[0113] The movement will be detailed in particular with reference to [Fig.5A] and [Fig.5B].

[0114] Thus, as soon as the connecting rods 150, 150', 152, 152' pivot, the drive frame 102 moves away from the rear face 34 of the first frame 20. Consequently, the three right connecting rods 140, 142, 144 and left connecting rods 140', 142', 144' pivot relative to the drive frame 102, because their first ends are respectively secured to the pivots of the guide members 134, 136, 138, 134', 136', 138'. In other words, the connecting rods 140, 142, 144, 140', 142', 144' also pivot around their first end relative to the upright 26, 28 of the first frame 20.

[0115] In doing so, the lower connecting rods 140, 140' drive the lower flexible rod 96 in rotation, the intermediate connecting rods 142, 142' drive the intermediate flexible rod 98 in rotation and the upper connecting rods 144, 144' drive the upper flexible rod 100 in rotation, relative to the drive frame 102. Also, the flexible rods 96, 98, 100, integral with the drive frame 102 are also driven with it according to the X and -Z components. More precisely, the flexible rods 96, 98, 100, are respectively driven in movement around three substantially parallel axes respectively connecting two by two the pivots of the guide members 134, 134'; 136, 136'; 138; 138'. These three axes are parallel to the lower 22 and upper 24 crosspieces.

[0116] Consequently, the three superimposed rows 56, 60, 64 of flaps 58, 65, 62, 66, are on the one hand driven towards the rear of the first frame 20 and spaced from the opening 30, and in addition, they are driven in pivoting, from a vertical position to an inclined position, substantially horizontal as illustrated in [Fig.5B].

[0117] Thus, the lower 158, 158' and upper 162, 162' sockets extend respectively outside the lower arcuate notches 50, 50' and the upper arcuate notches 54, 54'.

[0118] The drive frame 102 is in a position separated as far as possible from the rear face 34 of the first frame 20. The connecting rods 140, 142, 144, 140', 142', 144' then extend into a substantially horizontal position, as do the flaps 58, 65, 62, 66 of the three superimposed rows 56, 60, 64.

[0119] In this way, the transverse opening 30 is freed, which allows the passage of air. And on the other hand, the flaps are moved away towards the rear of the opening. Therefore, they do not extend forward. In this way, the flaps 58, 65, 62, 66 do not present any risk of injury in the event of pedestrian impact.

[0120] The reverse movement of the geared motor makes it possible to drive the shutters 58, 65, 62, 66 in reverse into a position for closing the opening 30.

[0121] In alternative embodiments of the invention not shown, the flexible rods can be oriented in a vertical direction, or even in a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle grille comprising: - an upper cross member (24) and an opposite lower cross member (22), connected together by two uprights (26, 28) defining a transverse opening (30), the cross members and the uprights defining a rear face (34) adapted to be oriented towards the rear of a vehicle (10); - at least one row (56, 60, 64) of flaps secured to each other and extending transversely in said transverse opening (30), the flaps (58, 65, 62, 66) of said at least one row of flaps being adapted to be driven between a vertical position in which said flaps close said transverse opening (30) and an inclined position in which said flaps release said transverse opening; characterized in that it comprises at least one rod (96, 98, 100) mounted in engagement in said flaps (58, 65, 62, 66) of said at least one row (56, 60, 64) of flaps;and in that said at least one rod (96, 98, 100) is adapted to be driven in pivoting towards the rear of said crosspieces (22, 24) and of said uprights (26, 28), around an axis parallel to said crosspieces, so as to be able to carry said flaps (56, 60, 64) from their vertical position to their inclined position.;

2. Motor vehicle grille according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one rod (96, 98, 100) is adapted to be driven in rotation on itself relative to said uprights.

3. Motor vehicle grille according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one rod (96, 98, 100) is flexible.

4. Motor vehicle grille according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of connecting rods (140, 140'; 142, 142'; 144, 144') respectively pivotally mounted on said uprights opposite one another, and in that said at least one rod (96, 98, 100) engages in the connecting rods.

5. Motor vehicle grille according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a frame drive frame (102) connected to said uprights (26, 28) and to said at least one rod (96, 98, 100), and in that said drive frame (102) is adapted to be driven in movement relative to said uprights (26, 28) to be able to drive said at least one rod backwards.

6. Motor vehicle grille according to claim 5, characterized in that said drive frame (102) comprises two cheeks (104, 106) respectively connected to said two uprights (26, 28) by two pairs of connecting rods (150, 150'; 152, 152').

7. Motor vehicle grille according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a transmission shaft (156) coupling in rotation two connecting rods (150, 150') of said two pairs of connecting rods, and a geared motor (170) connected to said transmission shaft (156) to be able to drive it in rotation.

8. Motor vehicle grille according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that each of said two cheeks (104, 106) has at least one support notch (108, 108'; 110, 110'; 112, 112') opening towards the rear to receive said at least one rod (96, 98, 100).

9. Motor vehicle grille according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said drive frame (102) further comprises a median upright (124), in particular located equidistant from said two cheeks (104, 106), said median upright comprising at least one support finger (126, 128, 160) oriented away from the rear and bearing against said at least one rod (96, 98, 100).

10. Motor vehicle grille according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises: - three rows (56, 60, 64) of flaps (58, 65, 62, 66) extending transversely above each other in said transverse opening (30), the flaps of said three rows being able to cooperate with each other; - three rods (96, 98, 100) mounted respectively in engagement in each of the flaps (58, 65, 62, 66) of said three rows of flaps; and in that said three rods (96, 98, 100) are adapted to be driven in pivoting towards the rear of said crosspieces (22, 24) and of said uprights (26, 28), around axes parallel to said crosspieces between a vertical position in which the flaps (58, 65, 62, 66) of said three rows close said transverse opening (30) and an inclined position in which the flaps of said three rows release said transverse opening.

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