Vehicle air intake closure device

Abstract

Vehicle Air Intake Closing Device The invention relates to a vehicle air intake closing device (100), comprising: - a ventilation grille (1) adapted to allow an airflow, - a closing assembly having a row (r1) of at least two pivoting flaps (4a) configured to move from a closed position to an open position, - an actuating member (2) for each flap (4a), configured to pivot the flap (4a) and adapted to move between a position close to the ventilation grille (1) and a position far from the ventilation grille (1), and - a device for moving the actuating members (2) from their close positions to their far positions, configured so that the actuating member (2) associated with one of the two flaps (4a) reaches one of its positions, close or far, before the actuating member (2) associated with the other of the two halves (4a). (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle air intake closure device

[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of mechanics and thermal regulation devices, and more specifically concerns a sealing device for a vehicle air intake, on the front face thereof.

[0002] Vehicles, and in particular motor vehicles, are commonly equipped on their front end with an air intake fitted with a ventilation grille, designed to allow airflow through it. This airflow is used, for example, to exchange heat with a front-mounted heat exchanger, which is part of an air conditioning, cooling, or heating system. Such a vehicle frequently includes a system for controlling this airflow, commonly referred to by the English acronym AGS for "Active Grille Shutter." This system makes it possible, in particular, to increase the aerodynamic efficiency when the engine does not require cooling by an external airflow, thereby reducing fuel consumption and vehicle emissions.

[0003] The airflow control system generally consists of a grille in which passages are provided to allow the airflow to pass through. The system also includes one or more controlled shutters so as to allow or prevent the passage of the airflow through the passages provided in the grille, in particular to reduce the air penetration coefficient when the shutters prevent the passage of the airflow.

[0004] The shutter flaps, generally rectangular, are mounted on one or more shafts driven in rotation by an actuator such as an electric motor, the shafts being positioned horizontally and parallel to the grille. The shutter flaps are arranged so that when the motor rotates the shafts a quarter turn, the shutter flaps move from a position parallel to the vehicle's grille, thus preventing the passage of airflow, to a horizontal position, thus allowing the passage of airflow. A small number of flaps, for example four flaps, is therefore sufficient to close the entire grille, using a limited number of shafts and actuators.

[0005] This implementation, however, is not applicable to a curved grid, as it requires a multitude of small shutters and just as many shafts, not all of which are parallel to each other. This necessitates the use of many more actuators than with a flat grid, or a complex coupling system between the shafts on the one hand and a small number of actuators on the other. In general, the Multiplying the shutters on the ventilation grille increases the complexity and cost of the associated airflow control system. As a result, car manufacturers are limited in the design of air vents, whether it's to precisely manage the airflow through the vent, to give the vehicle an aesthetic appearance, or to reinforce its brand identity. This can notably include a specific sequence for opening the shutter flaps when the vehicle is started.

[0006] Furthermore, existing airflow control systems generally do not offer, when the shutter flaps are closed, sufficient mechanical torque to completely lock these shutter flaps in the closed position when the outside air pressure on the shutter flaps is significant.

[0007] The present invention aims to remedy at least in part the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a closure device for an air intake of a vehicle, the opening mechanism of the closure flaps of which allows in particular a great design flexibility in the form of an air vent barring the air intake, and a multiplication of these closure flaps and possibilities of sequencing the opening or closing of these closure flaps, without disproportionate additional cost of the airflow control system passing through it, compared to known designs of airflow control systems.

[0008] To this end, the invention proposes a sealing device for an air intake of a vehicle, comprising: - a ventilation grille capable of allowing an airflow, - a shutter assembly comprising a row of at least two flaps capable of at least partially closing the ventilation grille, the flaps being configured to pivot in the same direction of rotation around at least one axis to move from a closed position in which the flap prevents the passage of airflow to an open position in which the flap allows the passage of airflow, the shutter device being characterized in that it comprises: - an actuating member for each flap of the two flaps, configured to rotate the flap, the actuating member being able to move between a position close to the ventilation grille and a position far from the ventilation grille, and - a device for moving the actuating members, configured to move the actuating members from their close positions to their far positions, the moving device being configured so that the actuating member associated with one of the two flaps reaches one of its positions, close or far, before the actuating member associated with the other of the two flaps.

[0009] The shuttering device according to the invention preferably comprises several shuttering assemblies, each comprising a separate row of flaps.

[0010] The shutters are, for example, rectangular, triangular, rounded, or hexagonal. The ventilation grille, for example, has openings with shapes complementary to those of the shutters, which may be of different shapes. Each shutter is thus capable of completely closing one of the openings. Alternatively, the ventilation grille forms a single opening closed only by the shutters.

[0011] The actuating members are capable of moving the flaps from their closed position to their open position and vice versa, by pivoting the flaps. The distant position of an actuating member corresponds, for example, to the open position of the flap actuated by that actuating member, and the close position of the actuating member corresponds, for example, to the closed position of the flap actuated by that actuating member.

[0012] The shutters each comprise, for example, one or more bearings capable of pivoting about at least one shaft, which is fixed to a fixed part of the shuttering device relative to the shutters and the actuating members. Alternatively, each shutter is fixed to at least one shaft pivotally mounted in one or more bearings fixed to a fixed part of the shuttering device relative to the shutters and the actuating members. The shafts are cylindrical, the axis of symmetry of each shaft being the axis about which the shutter, whether fixed or pivotally mounted on the shaft, pivots.

[0013] The trees of the shutters in the row are, for example, aligned along a line following the shape of the ventilation grille, which may be curved.

[0014] The actuating elements are, for example, configured to be moved in translation orthogonally to the axes of the shutters by the displacement device, these translational movements being able to be shared between actuating elements of the same row of shutters. The invention thus makes it possible to have several small shutters mounted on as many shafts forming a curved line from one end to the other of the ventilation grille, without multiplying the actuators.

[0015] Furthermore, by transforming the rotational movement of the shutters into movements from a position close to the ventilation grille to a position far from the ventilation grille, or vice versa, the invention makes it easy to desynchronize the opening or closing of the shutters without a complex control device for this desynchronization. The shuttering device can, of course, contain shutters that open or close synchronously.

[0016] Thanks to the invention, the ventilation grille can therefore present a curved surface followed by small flaps forming as many facets cutting this curved surface, these flaps being controlled by several actuation members allowing asynchronous sequencing of the flaps, without multiplying the actuators and without complex parameterization of each of these actuators.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the actuating member comprises, for example, a sliding body and at least one arm having a first end coupled to the sliding body and a second end pivotally mounted on the shutter. This embodiment makes it possible, in particular, to exert a significant locking force on the shutters in the closed position.

[0018] The actuating member may include a second arm having a first end coupled to the sliding body and a second end pivotally mounted on another flap of the row.

[0019] Each arm of the actuating member is formed, for example, by an arm of a torsion spring held fixed in the sliding body, or by a connecting rod. The first end of the arm is therefore pivotally mounted on the sliding body in the case of a connecting rod, or elastically mounted on the pivoting body in the case of a torsion spring.

[0020] A single actuating member may be associated with two shutters in the row that have the same direction of rotation when opening or different directions of rotation when opening. The actuating member then comprises an arm for each of these two shutters. When the two shutters have different directions of rotation when opening, the two shutters are, for example, arranged symmetrically with respect to the same axis, which may be a common pivot axis for these two shutters. The row may therefore be a double row of shutters, that is to say, actually composed of two symmetrical rows of shutters with respect to a line formed by the shutter shafts. Alternatively, the shutters that are symmetrical to each other do not share the same rotation shaft. In this case, the shutter shafts of a double row are aligned along two parallel lines following the shape of the ventilation grille; these lines may be curved.

[0021] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the invention, the closing device comprises slides in each of which the sliding body of one of the actuating members is able to slide, the sliding body being actuated by the displacement device.

[0022] These slides are, for example, arranged in a plate fixed to the ventilation grille and positioned parallel to a main plane of extension of the vehicle. This plane is generally horizontal. Since the ventilation grille is not necessarily orthogonal to this plane, but, for example, slightly oblique to a vertical direction, the actuating elements do not necessarily slide orthogonally to the ventilation grille, depending on the positioning of the plate containing the slides. Each actuating element, however, preferably slides orthogonally to the axis around which the flap to which it is associated is able to pivot.

[0023] The slides are, for example, formed as grooves in the plate attached to the ventilation grille. This plate has, for example, teeth along the grille ventilation shafts, between which are arranged the shafts on which the shutters are mounted. These shafts are, for example, fixed rigidly between the teeth, or mounted pivotally in bearings fitted on the teeth, depending on the mounting of the shutters on the shafts.

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the invention, the shutter device includes a return means capable of driving the sliding body towards the position away from the actuating member corresponding to an open position of the shutter.

[0025] The return means is, for example, a spring under tension between, on the one hand, a stop provided in the slide and, on the other hand, a stop provided on the actuating member, or a torsion spring fixed in the actuating member, at least one end of which forms an arm pivotally mounted in one of the flaps. The other end may then form another arm pivotally mounted in another flap opening in a different direction of rotation, which increases the torsional torque exerted on the spring when the flaps are closed. In either of these variants, the spring, whether compression or torsion, is at rest when the flaps are in the open position. Thus, when the flaps are in the closed position, a force is exerted via the spring on the flaps, which are held closed, enabling them to resist the pressure of the outside air.

[0026] According to an optional and advantageous feature of the sealing device according to the invention, at least one of the actuating members comprises a cam and the displacement device comprises at least one cam track on which the cam is able to move, the cam track comprising a first portion to maintain the actuating member in its close position and a second portion allowing a displacement of the actuating member from its close position to its distant position.

[0027] The cam track also preferably includes a third portion adapted to cooperate with the cam to maintain the actuating member in its position away from the ventilation grille. The cam track portions are analogous to straight sections.

[0028] The first portion of the cam track extends along a first straight line, the second portion of the cam track extends along a second straight line, the first and second lines intersecting. The first portion is, for example, a straight line segment or an arc of a circle spanning less than one degree. Similarly, the second portion is, for example, a straight line segment or an arc of a circle spanning less than one degree.

[0029] The third portion extends along a third line parallel to the first line. The third portion is, for example, a segment of a line or an arc of a circle spanning less than one degree of angle. It is understood that the first line The third line and the second line are parallel to the axis around which the flap associated with the actuating mechanism pivots, the first portion being closer to the ventilation grille than the third portion. Thus, the second portion forms a branch connecting the first portion to the third portion. The midpoint of the second portion can correspond to an inflection point, particularly when the middle section of the branch is not straight. It marks an intermediate position between an open position of the flap and a closed position of the flap cooperating with the actuating mechanism.

[0030] The cam is, for example, a roller mounted at one end of the sliding body, distal to the flap. The movement device comprises, for example, a comb-shaped element, with the grooves between the teeth of the comb corresponding to the third portions and the tips of the teeth to the first portions. Thus, the movement device has, for example, as many cam tracks as there are teeth on the comb. Each cam track corresponds to an actuation member of the row. It is therefore sufficient to move the comb longitudinally along the ventilation grille to open or close all the flaps in the row, depending on the direction of movement of the comb. An actuator allows the comb to be moved from a position where each tooth is opposite a flap that it holds closed, to a position in which teeth of the comb are located opposite a junction between two flaps or two openings in the ventilation grille.

[0031] The displacement device comprises, for example, at least two cam tracks cooperating with two cams of two separate actuating members, the first portions of the two cam tracks being of different lengths. The flap associated with the longer first portion then remains in the open position longer than the flap associated with the other first portion when the ventilation grille is opened.

[0032] Each length of the first portion is measured parallel to the pivot axis of the associated flap, from a point on the first portion corresponding to a position of the cam when the flap is fully open, to a point of intersection between the first line and the second line.

[0033] Alternatively or in addition, the displacement device comprises at least two cam paths cooperating with two cams of two separate actuating members, the second portions of the two cam paths being of different lengths.

[0034] The distance, measured parallel to the principal extension direction of an actuating member, between each first and third portion of a cam track cooperating with that actuating member, being preferably the same for all the cam tracks of the comb, the second portions of different lengths form ramps of different stiffnesses, each allowing a first portion to be connected to a third portion. These different lengths therefore induce The opening and closing speeds of the flaps associated with the cam tracks having these second sections of different lengths vary. Specifically, the flap associated with the longer second section will open more slowly than the flap associated with the other second section, and will also close more slowly.

[0035] Each length of the second portion is measured along it between, on the one hand, the point of intersection between the first line and the second line, and on the other hand, the point of intersection between the second line and the third line.

[0036] In one embodiment of the invention, the shuttering device according to the invention comprises at least two shuttering assemblies, the respective rows of flaps of which each extend lengthwise along a main extension direction of the ventilation grille, the two shuttering assemblies being stacked one on top of the other along a stacking direction, the flaps of the different rows being arranged to allow the closure of the ventilation grille.

[0037] The stacking direction is preferably orthogonal to the main extension plane of the vehicle. Since the ventilation grille can be oblique with respect to a vertical direction, orthogonal to the main extension plane of the vehicle, and can take a curved shape along this oblique direction, the stacking can be non-straight, for example in a stepped pattern.

[0038] The shuttering device according to the invention therefore comprises, in this embodiment of the invention, several movement devices, each associated with a distinct row, at least two cam tracks stacked one on top of the other being, for example, different. It is understood that these two cam tracks open or close flaps arranged one above the other on the ventilation grille, that is to say, orthogonally to the direction of their respective axes. Thus, each row can exhibit a sequence of opening or closing its flaps, distinct from the opening or closing sequence of the flaps of another row.

[0039] The two cam paths of these two separate rows differ, for example, in the lengths of their first portions. Alternatively, or in addition, the two cam paths of these two separate rows differ in the lengths of their second portions.

[0040] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0041] [Fig-1] represents in perspective a sealing assembly of a sealing device according to the invention, in one embodiment of the invention,

[0042] [Fig.2] is an enlargement of part of [Fig.1], showing more precisely a mechanism for opening and closing the shutters of the shutter assembly, using sliding actuating elements,

[0043] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of one of the actuation members, cooperating with two parts,

[0044] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of two actuating members mounted in the sealing assembly, a means for returning one of the actuating elements not being shown in order to make visible the means for fixing this return means,

[0045] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of one of the organs actuation, cooperating with two components, and

[0046] [Fig.6] shows in perspective two sets of shutters as arranged in a stacking of shutter assemblies, not fully represented.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig.1], a sealing device 100 for an air intake of a vehicle, comprises, on the front face of the vehicle, a ventilation grille 1 forming openings.

[0048] The sealing device 100 is shown as positioned in the vehicle, a longitudinal direction X being directed from the rear to the front of the vehicle, a transverse direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X being directed towards the right of the vehicle, and a vertical direction Z orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X and transverse direction Y pointing towards the top of the vehicle.

[0049] It thus appears that the ventilation grille 1 extends lengthwise in the transverse direction Y, heightwise in the vertical direction Z, and thicknesswise along the longitudinal direction X. The ventilation grille 1 has a curved shape in its main extension dimension, being convex towards the front of the vehicle. It therefore forms essentially an arc of a circle when viewed in cross-section in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0050] The shuttering device 100 comprises a shuttering assembly consisting of a row rl of shutters suitable for closing part of the openings of the ventilation grille 1. The shutters are substantially triangular in shape, but of course other shutter shapes are conceivable.

[0051] As can be seen in particular in [Fig.6], this row rl is a double row comprising a row of first flaps 4a opening in the first direction of rotation and a row of second flaps 4b opening in a second direction of rotation.

[0052] In order to allow the complete closure of the ventilation grille 1, other rows of shutters of the shuttering device 100, not shown, and comprising for example only a row of first shutters 4a or second shutters 4b, allow the other openings of the ventilation grille 1 to be closed.

[0053] The shutter device 100 further comprises a plate 6 arranged parallel to the transverse direction Y and the longitudinal direction X, this plate 6 being fixed to the ventilation grille 1. On the side of the ventilation grille 1, as can be seen [Fig. 2], the plate 6 has teeth 69 between the ends of which are arranged shafts 8 on which are mounted the first flaps 4a and the second flaps 4b. The shafts 8 each form an axis around which a first or second flap 4a, 4b pivots.

[0054] In this embodiment of the invention, the shafts 8 are fixed rigidly to the plate 6. Each first flap 4a or 4b comprises, as can be seen [Fig. 3], bearings 44, 46 mounted by clipping onto a shaft 8. The flaps 4a, 4b are preferably made of synthetic polymer material, and therefore exhibit elasticity. The plate 6 is also preferably made of synthetic polymer material. Of course, other types of material are possible for their manufacture.

[0055] The row rl is more precisely formed of pairs of a first flap 4a and a second flap 4b mounted on the same shaft 8. In such a pair, the first flap 4a opens in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the transverse direction Y, while the second flap 4b opens in the clockwise direction with respect to the transverse direction Y.

[0056] The first flaps 4a are structurally identical to the second flaps 4b in order to reduce the costs of the shutter device 100. This is why a first of the bearings 44 of each flap 4a, 4b is mounted on an end portion of the flap 4a, 4b, at one of its ends, while a second of the bearings 46 of the flap 4a, 4b leaves the opposite end portion of the flap 4a, 4b free by being offset by at least the length of the first bearing 44 with respect to the other end of the flap 4a, 4b.

[0057] Returning to [Fig. 1], each first or second flap 4a, 4b is capable of being pivotally actuated around a shaft 8 by an actuating member 2 capable of moving between a position close to the ventilation grille 1 and a position far from the ventilation grille 1, on the platform 6. The flaps 4a, 4b opening towards the interior of the vehicle, the flaps 4a, 4b are in the open position when the actuating members 2 are in their positions far from the ventilation grille 1 and in the closed position when the actuating members 2 are in their positions close to the ventilation grille 1.

[0058] The transformation of the pivoting movement of a first flap 4a and a second flap 4b into a translational movement of the actuating member 2 actuating these flaps 4a, 4b, is achieved by a connecting rod mechanism formed by arms 7a, 7b as described later in relation to [Fig.3].

[0059] The movement of the actuating members 2 is achieved in particular by a comb-shaped part, referred to as comb 5 in the remainder of the application. Comb 5 is Preferably made of synthetic polymer, but other materials are possible. This comb 5 moves along a rotation whose center is very far from the ventilation grille 1. This rotational movement can be considered locally, with respect to each shaft 8, as a translation parallel to it. In other words, the comb 5 moves along a curve reproducing the shape of the ventilation grille 1 in a plane parallel to the transverse direction Y and the longitudinal direction X. The movement of the comb 5 uses an actuator (not shown), which is, for example, an electric motor. A device for moving the actuation elements 2 therefore includes, for example, the comb 5 and this actuator.

[0060] As can be seen [Fig.2], the movement of the comb 5 is guided by the side walls 642, 641 of a corridor 64 arranged on a face 6a of the platform 6, and in which the comb 5 moves. The side walls 641, 642 reproduce the curved shape of the ventilation grid 1 in a plane parallel to the transverse direction Y and the longitudinal direction X.

[0061] Furthermore, the comb 5 has straight openings 52, each of these openings 52 being crossed by a guide pin 66 projecting from the plate 6 into the channel 64. The guide pins 66 being fixed, each opening 52 slides closely around a guide pin 66 during the movement of the comb 5. The longitudinal ends of each opening 52 mark stopping points of the movement of the comb 5, one corresponding to the complete closure of all the flaps 4a, 4b and the other to the complete opening of all the flaps 4a, 4b.

[0062] On [Fig.2], all the flaps 4a, 4b of the shutter assembly are closed, the teeth of the comb 5 blocking the actuating members 2 in their close positions and therefore the flaps 4a, 4b in their closed positions.

[0063] Each actuating member 2 moves orthogonally to the shaft 8 on which is mounted a first flap 4a and a second flap 4b actuated by this actuating member 2. For this purpose, each actuating member 2 is able to slide in a slide 62 formed by a groove on the face 6a of the plate 6. The slides 62 are each arranged orthogonally to a shaft 8. They open on one side at the base of the teeth 69 of the plate 6 and on the other side into the channel 64.

[0064] Each actuation member 2 housed in a slide 62 has at one of its ends, on the side of the corridor 64, a roller 26 capable of rotating around a shaft directed in the vertical direction and fixed to the actuation member 2. The roller 26 is thus capable of rolling on an edge 3 of the comb 5 having the teeth of the comb 5, located opposite the lateral wall 642 of the corridor 64, this lateral wall 642 being closer to the ventilation grille 1 than the other lateral wall 641 of the corridor 64.

[0065] The edge 3 of the comb 5 forms several cam tracks, namely one cam track per actuating member 2. These cam tracks include first portions 31 corresponding to the peaks of the teeth of the comb 5, third portions 33 corresponding to the troughs of the comb 5, and second portions 32 connecting the first portions 31 to the third portions 32 by presenting an inclined slope of at least ten degrees with respect to the first portions 31.

[0066] The first and third portions of each cam track on which an actuating member 2 moves comprise substantially straight sections. They also each comprise a rounded section, the rounded sections connecting the substantially straight sections of the first and third portions to the second, substantially straight, section of the cam track. In reality, in this embodiment of the invention, the first and third portions are sections of a circular arc, each spanning less than one degree.

[0067] The first portions 31 maintain the actuating members 2 in their close positions, while the third portions 33 maintain the actuating members 2 in their distant positions. The second portions 32 allow the actuating members 2 to move from their close positions to their distant positions and vice versa.

[0068] In this embodiment of the invention, the shutter device 100 allows for sequencing the opening and closing of the shutter flaps 4a, 4b of the row rl, with different lengths of the first portions 31 of the cam tracks, the lengths of the second portions 32 of the cam tracks being identical. Thus, the path of a roller 26 of an actuating member 2 from its starting point on a first portion of a cam track to the midpoint of the second portion of the cam track is of a different length depending on the cam track considered. This midpoint marks an intermediate position between an open position of the flaps 4a, 4b and a closed position of the flaps 4a, 4b cooperating with the actuating member 2, these flaps 4a, 4b being said to be associated with the cam track considered.

[0069] It is therefore understood that the greater the length of a first portion of a cam track compared to another first portion of another cam track, the more slowly the flaps 4a, 4b associated with the cam track open and close more quickly than the flaps 4a, 4b associated with that other cam track.

[0070] In this embodiment of the invention, the flaps 4a, 4b located in an area The middle sections of row rl open faster than the flaps 4a,4b located at the ends of row rl. More precisely, the first portions 31 of the cam paths have lengths that shorten from a first end of row rl to the middle of row rl, then lengthen from the middle of row rl to a second end of row rl, opposite the first end.

[0071] Thus, in [Fig. 2], a first cam track 3a has a first portion 31a that is longer than a first portion 31d of a second cam track 3d, located in a mid-section of the comb 5 relative to the first cam track 3a, closer to one end of the comb 5. The second portions 32a and 32d of the first and second cam tracks 3a and 3d are of identical length. The third portion 33a of the first cam track 3a is shorter than the third portion 33d of the second cam track 3d, in order to maintain a substantially identical distance between each tooth of the comb 5. Thus, the flaps 4a and 4b associated with the first cam track 3a open more slowly and close more quickly than the flaps 4a and 4b associated with the second cam track 3d.

[0072] It should be noted that the portions of the edge 3 of the comb 5 joining two cam paths are not traversed by the rollers 26. These portions are of much steeper slope than the second portions of the cam paths.

[0073] Other designs of the comb 5 are of course conceivable to ensure a sequencing of the opening of the flaps 4a, 4b of row ri. For example, the second portions may have different lengths, in addition to or instead of different lengths for the first portions.

[0074] We now describe in relation to [Fig.3] how each actuation member 2 cooperates with a pair of flaps 4a, 4b and with the comb 5.

[0075] Each actuating member 2 of the shutter device 100 comprises a sliding body 22. This sliding body 22 is hollow and includes a frame whose two long edges 220, 222 slide along the edges of a slide 62 in which the actuating member is housed. The frame also includes two short edges 224, 226 arranged orthogonally to the long edges 220, 222.

[0076] A spring 24 housed in the sliding body 22, particularly within the frame of the sliding body 22, has a first end abutting the plate 6 and a second end abutting the frame of the sliding body 22, inside the latter. The spring 24 evolves from a compressed state to a rest state, these states being relative here since they designate the most compressed or the most relaxed state of the spring in the operating configurations of the shutter device 100.

[0077] The spring 24 is compressed when the actuating member 2 is held in its position close to the ventilation grille 1. This compression is achieved by positioning a first portion of the cam track opposite the slide 62, forcing the roller 26 of the actuating member 2 to remain in this slide 62. Indeed, the first portions 31 of the cam track are flush with the side wall 642 of the channel 64, this side wall 642 having the openings of the slides 62.

[0078] The spring 24 is at rest, therefore relaxed, when the actuating member 2 is held in its position away from the ventilation grille 1. This holding at rest is achieved by the restoring force of the spring 24 which pushes the frame of the sliding body 22, so the roller 26, resting against a third section of cam track located opposite the slide 62 but far from its outlet.

[0079] When a second portion of the cam track is opposite the slide 62, the restoring force of the spring 24 pushes the frame of the sliding body 22, and therefore the roller 26, against this second portion of the cam track, without being fully compressed or completely at rest. The actuating member 2 is thus between its position close to the ventilation grille 1 and its position far from the ventilation grille 1. It is therefore understood that as the second portion of the cam track moves orthogonally to the slide 62, the actuating member 2 slides within it by compression or extension of the spring 24.

[0080] Furthermore, the actuation member 2 extends on the side of the pair of flaps 4a, 4b, orthogonally to a first of the short edges 224, by a plate 23, having passage holes for a pivot.

[0081] Each flap 4a, 4b of the pair of flaps 4a, 4b comprises a main panel 42 and a plate 48 extending orthogonally on the side of the actuating member 2 and having passage holes for a pivot.

[0082] The actuating member 2 further comprises a first arm 7a. One end of the first arm 7a has a pivot inserted into a through hole in the plate 48 of the first flap 4a of the pair of flaps 4a, 4b. A second end of the first arm 7a has a pivot inserted into a through hole in the plate 23 of the sliding body 22. Thus, the first arm 7a forms a connecting rod pivoting relative to the first flap 4a and relative to the actuating member 2. When the actuating member 2 moves from its close position to its far position, the first arm 7a pulls the first flap 4a towards the interior of the vehicle, thereby opening the first flap 4a. Conversely, when the actuating member 2 moves from its far position to its close position, the first arm 7a pushes the first flap 4a towards the ventilation grille 1 and closes the first flap 4a.

[0083] Similarly, the actuating member 2 has a second arm 7b. One end of the second arm 7b has a pivot inserted into a through hole in the plate 48 of the second flap 4b of the pair of flaps 4a, 4b. A second end of the second arm 7a has a pivot inserted into a through hole in the plate 23 of the sliding body 22. Thus, the second arm 7b forms a connecting rod pivoting relative to the second flap 4b and relative to the actuating member 2.

[0084] When the actuating member 2 moves from its close position to its distant position, the second arm 7b pulls the second flap 4b towards the interior of the vehicle, which opens the second flap 4b. Conversely, when the actuating member 2 moving from its distant position to its close position, the second arm 7b pushes the second flap 4b towards the ventilation grille 1 and closes the second flap 4b.

[0085] Since the actuating member 2 is located vertically closer to the first flap 4a than to the second flap 4b, the first arm 7a is shorter than the second arm 7b. This difference in length between the first and second arms 7a, 7b explains why the through-hole for the pivot located at the first end of the second arm 7b is further from the shaft 8 of the pair of flaps 4a, 4b than the through-hole for the pivot located at the first end of the first arm 7a. As the first and second flaps 4a, 4b are structurally identical, this explains why one of the through-holes in the plate 48 on each flap 4a, 4b is not used.

[0086] Each pivot has a head that is press-fitted into the corresponding through hole, because, being made of synthetic polymer, these pivots possess the elasticity necessary for this type of assembly. Of course, other embodiments are possible, with the pivots, arms, and sliding body preferably being made of synthetic polymer, but other materials may be used.

[0087] The actuation member 2 extends on the side of the second of the short edges 226, by a platform arranged parallel to the plate 6 and serving as a support for a rotation shaft 27 around which the roller 26 of the actuation member 2 rotates. This rotation shaft 27 is of course part of the actuation member 2 by being integral with it.

[0088] Figure 4 shows in more detail how the spring 24 of an actuating member 2 is fixed. On the actuating member 2 in the middle of Figure 4, the spring 24 of an actuating member 2 is not shown, leaving visible:

[0089] - a stop 65 fixed securely to the plate 6 and projecting from it at the interior of the frame of the sliding body 22 of the actuating member 2, and

[0090] - a retaining pin 28 projecting from the second short edge 226 inside the sliding body 22.

[0091] The spring 24 is mounted in the sliding body 22 around the retaining pin 28, abutting against the second short edge 226, and against the stop 65 of the plate 6. Of course, other means of fixing the spring 24 are conceivable.

[0092] Figure 5 now illustrates an alternative embodiment of an actuating member 2b. The elements identical to the actuating member 2 of the primary embodiment of the invention and to the actuating member 2b of this secondary embodiment of the invention bear the same reference numerals. In particular, the actuating member 2b also includes a roller 26 mounted on a rotating shaft 27 at its longitudinal end, which is intended to cooperate with the comb 5.

[0093] The actuating member 2b also includes a sliding body 22b, but this is not hollow and does not contain a compression spring 24. Instead, it includes a housing 25b traversing the main dimension of the sliding body 22b, and in which a torsion spring 24b is fixedly mounted, for example by clamping.

[0094] The torsion spring 24b comprises a first arm 244 pivotally mounted in the through hole of a plate 48 of a first flap 4a, and a second arm 242 pivotally mounted in the through hole of a plate 48 of a second flap 4b.

[0095] The actuation member 2b is thus able to pivot the first flap 4a and the second flap 4b when it slides in a slide 62, by the torsion or release of the arms 242, 244 of the torsion spring 24b, and their pivoting in the passage holes of the first flap 4a and the second flap 4b.

[0096] On this [Fig.5], the actuation member 2b is represented in its position away from the ventilation grille 1 in solid lines, and in its position close to the ventilation grille 1 in dotted lines.

[0097] Figure 6 now shows two shutter assemblies of the shutter device 100, one comprising row 11 and the other comprising row r2. The shutter assembly plates and the ventilation grille 1 are not shown. However, since the ventilation grille 1 is shuttered by the flaps of rows 11 and r2, these flaps conform to the shape of the ventilation grille 1. It therefore appears that the ventilation grille 1 forms a circular arc in cross-section in a plane parallel to the transverse direction Y and the longitudinal direction X, and is oblique with respect to the vertical direction Z.

[0098] Of course, not all the shutters of the shutter device 100 are shown, the shutter device 100 being able to include another double row of shutters between rows rl and r2, and a single row of shutters at each vertical end of the ventilation grille 1.

[0099] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the features of the different embodiments of the invention envisaged in this application can be combined to carry out the invention, provided that these embodiments are not incompatible with each other.

Claims

Demands

1. A shuttering device (100) for an air intake of a vehicle, comprising: - a ventilation grille (1) adapted to allow the passage of an airflow, - a shuttering assembly having a row (rl) of at least two flaps (4a, 4b) adapted to at least partially close the ventilation grille (1), the flaps (4a, 4b) being configured to pivot in the same direction of rotation about at least one axis to move from a closed position in which the flap (4a, 4b) prevents the passage of the airflow to an open position in which the flap (4a, 4b) allows the passage of the airflow, the shuttering device (100) being characterized in that it comprises: - an actuating member (2, 2b) for each flap (4a, 4b) of the two flaps (4a, 4b), configured to pivot the flap (4a, 4b), the actuation member (2, 2b) being able to move between a position close to the ventilation grille (1) and a position far from the ventilation grille (1),and - a displacement device (5) for the actuating members (2, 2b), configured to move the actuating members (2, 2b) from their near positions to their far positions, the displacement device (5) being configured so that the actuating member (2, 2b) associated with one of the two flaps (4a, 4b) reaches one of its positions, near or far, before the actuating member (2, 2b) associated with the other of the two flaps (4a, 4b).

2. A shuttering device (100) for an air inlet according to claim 1, wherein the actuating member (2, 2b) comprises a sliding body (22, 22b) and at least one arm (7a, 7b, 242, 244) comprising a first end coupled to the sliding body (22, 22b) and a second end pivotally mounted on the flap (4a, 4b).

3. A sealing device (100) for an air inlet according to claim 2, comprising slides (62) in each of which the sliding body (22, 22b) of one of the actuating members (2, 2b) is able to slide, the sliding body (22, 22b) being actuated by the displacement device (5).

4. A shuttering device (100) for an air inlet according to claim 2 or 3, comprising a return means (24, 24b) capable of driving the sliding body (22, 22b) towards the position away from the actuating member (2, 2b) corresponding to an open position of the flap (4a, 4b).

5. A sealing device (100) for an air inlet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the actuating members (2, 2b) comprises a cam (26) and wherein the displacement device (5) comprises at least one cam track (3a, 3d) on which the cam (26) is able to move, the cam track (3a, 3d) comprising a first portion (31a, 31d) for maintaining the actuating member (2, 2b) in its close position and a second portion (32a, 32d) permitting a displacement of the actuating member (2, 2b) from its close position to its far position.

6. A sealing device (100) for an air inlet according to claim 5, wherein the displacement device (5) comprises at least two cam paths (3a, 3d) cooperating with two cams (26) of two separate actuating members (2, 2b), the first portions (31a, 31d) of the two cam paths (3a, 3d) being of different lengths.

7. A sealing device (100) for an air inlet according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the displacement device (5) comprises at least two cam paths (3a, 3d) cooperating with two cams (26) of two separate actuating members (2, 2b), the second portions (32a, 32d) of the two cam paths (3a, 3d) being of different lengths.

8. A sealing device (100) for an air inlet according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the first portion (31a, 31d) of the cam track (3a, 3d) extends along a first straight line, the second portion (32a, 32d) of the cam track (3a, 3d) extends along a second straight line, the first and second straight lines being intersecting.

9. A shuttering device (100) for an air inlet according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising at least two shuttering assemblies, the respective rows (r1, r2) of flaps (4a, 4b) of which each extend lengthwise along a principal extension direction of the ventilation grille (1), the two assemblies

10.

11.

12. shutters being stacked one on top of the other in a stacking direction, the shutters (4a, 4b) of the different rows (rl, r2) being arranged to allow the sealing of the ventilation grille (1). A sealing device (100) for an air inlet according to claim 9 taken in dependence on claim 5, comprising several displacement devices (5), each associated with a distinct row (rl, r2), and wherein at least two cam paths (3a, 3d) stacked one on top of the other are different. A sealing device (100) for an air inlet according to claim 10, wherein the two cam paths (3a, 3d) differ in the lengths of their first portions (31). A sealing device (100) for an air inlet according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the two cam paths (3a, 3d) differ in the lengths of their second portions (32).

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