Vehicle air intake closure device

Abstract

Vehicle Air Intake Closure Device The invention relates to a vehicle air intake closure device, comprising a frame allowing airflow through it, and a closure flap (4a, 4b) mounted pivotally about an axis. The closure device includes actuating means for the closure flap (4a, 4b), capable of moving the closure flap (4a, 4b) from a first position in which the closure flap (4a, 4b) prevents the passage of airflow to a second position in which the closure flap (4a, 4b) allows the passage of airflow. The actuating means include a member (2) capable of generating a pivoting of the closure flap (4a, 4b) and a means for translating the member (2), the translational driving means being capable of Move organ (2) parallel to the axis. (Figure 3)

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

[0007] To this end, the invention proposes a sealing device for air entering a vehicle, comprising a frame configured to delimit a passage allowing an airflow to pass through it, and at least one sealing flap mounted pivoting about an axis, the sealing device comprising means for actuating the sealing flap, capable of moving the sealing flap from a first position in which the sealing flap prohibits the passage of the airflow to a second position in which the sealing flap allows the passage of the airflow, the sealing device being characterized in that the actuating means comprise a member capable of generating a pivoting of the sealing flap, and at least one means for driving the member in translation, the driving means being capable of moving the member parallel to the axis.

[0008] The actuation means are also suitable for moving the shutter flap from the second position to the first position, for example to increase the vehicle's aerodynamic drag coefficient while driving.

[0009] The shutter flap is, for example, rectangular, triangular, or hexagonal. When the shutter device comprises several shutter flaps, the frame forms, for example, a ventilation grille whose openings are complementary in shape to those of the shutter flaps, which may be of different shapes. Alternatively, the frame forms a single opening sealed only by the shutter flaps.

[0010] Said at least one translational drive means is capable of moving the organ parallel to the axis, in the sense of "substantially parallel", that is to say with a tolerance of a few degrees. An axis in this application, unless otherwise indicated, refers to an axis around which a shutter flap pivots.

[0011] The invention makes it possible to have several small shutters mounted on as many shafts forming a curved line from one end of the frame to the other, without multiplying the actuators. Indeed, the actuation means act by a translational movement of the member which can be shared by all the shutters, the member only moving along a small part of the curved line, this small part being able to be considered as straight.

[0012] Thanks to the invention, the curved surface of the frame is embraced by small shutters forming as many facets cutting this curved surface, these shutters being controlled by one or more organs requiring only a translational movement of each organ which can be achieved by a single actuator, without a complex coupling device between these organs and the actuator.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the shutter comprises a sleeve mounted pivotally about the axis and provided with at least one cam track, the member comprising at least one finger adapted to follow the cam track. For example, the sleeve is fixed rigidly to a shaft adapted to rotate about the axis about which the shutter pivots, the shaft being mounted for rotation in bearings fixed to the frame or fixed relative to it, or the sleeve is itself a bearing mounted pivotally about a shaft fixed rigidly to the frame or fixed relative to it.

[0014] This ingenious embodiment makes it possible to limit the size of the pivoting mechanism and to make it barely visible from outside the vehicle. Indeed, compared to a mechanism pulling on the shutter panel by means of a connecting rod, the use of a cam track reduces the distance between the shutter panel and the component.

[0015] The cam track is, for example, a groove comprising at least one arm including a midpoint. The arm connects distinct angular positions of the sleeve. The arm connects, for example, two distinct arms of the cam track that are parallel to the axis, the cam track forming an S-curve. These arms stabilize the shutter in the open or closed position. Alternatively, the cam track is attached to the sleeve. When the arm is fully curved, the midpoint corresponds to an inflection point. The arm is alternatively straight in its middle portion. More generally, the cam track therefore preferably comprises two parallel arms connected by a branch so as to form an S-curve.

[0016] The shuttering device according to the invention preferably comprises at least two elements and at least one row of at least two shuttering flaps extending from a first end of the frame to a second end of the frame, the sleeves of the the row shutter flaps being mounted pivoting around the same or more axes, each sleeve carrying a cam track cooperating respectively with one of the components, the same drive means being capable of generating a translation of the components cooperating with the sleeves.

[0017] When the shutters in the row are mounted to pivot around several distinct axes, they are aligned along a straight or curved line so as to follow the shape of the frame. Thus, one of the drive means can consist of a cable that also follows the shape of the cable and allows all the shutters to be opened simultaneously. Preferably, there is an element associated with each shutter in the row, each element being fixed to the cable, which reduces the overall size of the device in a direction orthogonal to the frame, since the elements thus follow the shape of the frame more easily.

[0018] According to an optional and advantageous feature of the shuttering device according to the invention, it comprises at least two shuttering flaps capable of moving from the first to the second position, each sleeve having a cam track. The midpoint of the cam track arm of one of the two shuttering flaps is configured to be reached after the midpoint of the cam track arm of the other of the two shuttering flaps during a transition from the first to the second position. To achieve this, the cam tracks are, for example, arranged in the same way on the sleeves of the shuttering flaps, that is, they have the same starting point on the sleeve, but their respective midpoints are not located at the same distance from their respective starting points. The drive means, in fact, cause all the components to travel the same distance in translation.For example, the cam path branch of one of the two shutter flaps is configured to be reached after the cam path branch of the other of the two shutter flaps, during a transition from the first position to the second position. Alternatively or in addition, the slope of the cam path branch of one of the two shutter flaps is less steep than the slope of the cam path branch of the other of the two shutter flaps.

[0019] Thus, one of the shutter flaps will close or open after the other shutter flaps, with the same translational movement of the components associated with these flaps, generated by the drive means. This feature therefore makes it possible to sequence the closing or opening of the shutter flaps, so as, for example, to first close or open the shutter flaps of a central area of ​​the frame, then the shutter flaps of the other areas of the frame.

[0020] According to another optional and advantageous feature of the shuttering device according to the invention, it comprises at least a first shuttering flap and a second shuttering flap configured to move from the first position to the second position by pivoting in different directions of rotation around distinct axes, the sleeve of the first shutter flap comprising a first cam track and the sleeve of the second shutter flap comprising a second cam track, the component comprising a first finger capable of following the first cam track and a second finger capable of following the second cam track.

[0021] The first and second shutter flaps are, for example, arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry parallel to their respective axes of rotation. The shuttering device comprises, for example, a row of first shutter flaps and a row of second shutter flaps, arranged symmetrically in pairs of a first and second flap that are symmetrical to each other, each pair of a first and second shutter flap sharing the same component. The drive means and components are thus shared between the two rows.

[0022] Said at least one means of translational drive comprises, for example, at least one cable on which the member is fixed, and at least one pulley on which the cable is mounted, the pulley being capable of moving the cable parallel to the axis, in a first direction moving the shutter flap from the first position to the second position, and in a second direction moving the shutter flap from the second position to the first position.

[0023] The pulley can be motorized or coupled by a belt to an actuator. Preferably, the cable is mounted around two pulleys located at the ends of the frame. Alternatively, the cable is attached at one end to a spring and at the other end to a pulley. The components of the same row of shutters are preferably fixedly mounted on the same cable.

[0024] When the shuttering device comprises a first shuttering flap and a second shuttering flap cooperating with the same member, the cable is arranged for example between the axis of the first shuttering flap and the axis of the second shuttering flap.

[0025] The shuttering device according to the invention comprises, for example, a cable and at least one pulley per pair of rows consisting of a row of first shuttering flaps and a row of second shuttering flaps, or per isolated row of first or second shuttering flaps. An isolated row corresponds to a row of first or second shuttering flaps pivoting in the same direction of rotation, for which there are no second or first shuttering flaps pivoting in the opposite direction of rotation and arranged symmetrically to these first or second shuttering flaps with respect to an axis of symmetry which would be located between the axes of the first shuttering flaps and the axes of the second shuttering flaps.

[0026] The frame includes, for example, at least one pair consisting of a row of first shutter flaps whose sleeves are mounted pivotally about at least one first axis and a row of second shutter flaps whose sleeves are mounted pivotally about at least one second axis, the first and second shutter flaps being arranged in pairs of one of the first flaps and one of the second flaps, and the shuttering device includes a cable for each pair of such rows, to which is secured each member of each pair of one of the first shutter flaps and one of the second shutter flaps, the cable and the members of the shutter flaps being arranged between said at least first axis and said at least second axis.

[0027] According to another optional and advantageous feature of the shuttering device according to the invention, it comprises a single actuator rotationally coupled to pulleys on which at least two cables are mounted. By sharing the actuator with at least two cables, the cost of the shuttering device is reduced. The actuator preferably rotates all the cables of the shuttering device, each of which translates one row or a pair of rows of shutter flaps.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, the shuttering device according to the invention comprises at least one row of shuttering flaps extending from a first end of the frame to a second end of the frame, the sleeves of the shuttering flaps of the row being mounted pivotally about the same or more axes, each sleeve carrying a cam track cooperating with a member made integral with the cable, and said at least one drive means comprises a guide rail integral with the frame, the cable and the members of the row being arranged between the frame and the guide rail, the latter being able to hold the fingers of the members in the cam tracks of the sleeves of the row.

[0029] The guide rail allows the cable to conform to the shape of the frame, which can be rounded.

[0030] The component comprises, for example, a spacer integral with the cable and a pin capable of being driven by the spacer, the pin comprising said at least one finger and a recess into which at least a portion of the spacer is inserted, the pin further comprising grooves on either side of the spacer, the grooves being parallel to the axis and the cable being positioned at least partially within the grooves. The pin then comprises a first face facing the sleeve and a second face opposite the first face, the first face comprising said at least one finger and the second face comprising the recess into which at least a portion of the spacer is inserted, the pin thus being held interposed between the sleeve and the cable.

[0031] The spacer and / or the spindle is held interposed between the guide rail and the sleeve, depending on whether the spacer extends beyond the second face of the spindle towards the guide rail or not.

[0032] The spindle forms, for example, around the clearance, a first edge and a second edge parallel to the axes of the first and second shutter flaps. The first edge includes the first finger mounted in the first cam track, and the second edge, opposite the first edge with respect to the spacer, includes the second finger mounted in the second cam track. The edges of the spindle connecting the first and second edges around the clearance then each have one of the grooves parallel to the axes of the first and second shutter flaps, and in which the cable is positioned.

[0033] 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:

[0034] [Fig-1] illustrates a closure device according to the invention, in a first mode of realization of the invention,

[0035] [Fig.2] is an enlargement of a part of the shuttering device of [Fig. 1],

[0036] [Fig.3] represents four shutter flaps of the shuttering device of the [Fig.1], mounted for rotation on shafts and in a first position, as well as a cable driving in translation elements capable of pivoting these shutter flaps,

[0037] [Fig.4] incorporates the elements of [Fig.3] by presenting the shutter flaps in a second position,

[0038] [Fig. 5] shows in cross-section one of the organs of Figures 3 and 4, cooperating with two shutter flaps shown in figures 3 and 4,

[0039] [Fig.6] shows in perspective, the organ of the [Fig.5] attached to the cable of figures 3 and 4,

[0040] [Fig.7] represents in perspective one of the shutter flaps of the shuttering device of [Fig. 1], as well as a cooperating component with a cam track arranged in this shutter flap,

[0041] [Fig.8] shows in perspective another of the shutter flaps of the device of the [Fig.1] shutter, as well as a cooperating element with a cam track arranged in this other shutter flap,

[0042] [Fig.9] represents a section of the closing device of [Fig.1], comprising drive means for components that rotate the shutter flaps of the shuttering device in one direction, and an enlargement of a fixing of a frame of the shuttering device to a guide rail of one of the drive means,

[0043] [Fig. 10] reproduces the elements of [Fig. 9], without the enlargement, the drive means for the components that rotate the shutter flaps of the shuttering device in the opposite direction, and

[0044] [Fig. 11] illustrates a shuttering device according to the invention, in a second embodiment of the invention, comprising an actuator coupled to means for driving several rows of shuttering flaps of the shuttering device.

[0045] According to a first embodiment shown in [Fig. 1], a shuttering device 100 according to the invention for air intake from a vehicle comprises a frame 1 forming a ventilation grille having openings that can be shuttered by first shuttering flaps 4a and second flaps 4b, of trapezoidal shape. Alternatively, other shapes are of course conceivable for the shuttering flaps 4a and 4b.

[0046] The sealing device 100 is represented as positioned on a front face of the vehicle, a longitudinal direction X being directed from the rear towards 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.

[0047] It thus appears that the frame 1 extends in length in the transverse direction Y, in height in the vertical direction Z and in thickness along the longitudinal direction X. The frame 1 has a curved shape towards the inside of the vehicle, when it is seen in section in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction X and transverse direction Y.

[0048] The arrangement of the shutter flaps 4a and 4b is more perceptible on the enlargement of [Fig.2], which shows that the frame 1 has six rows rl to r6 of shutter flaps 4a or 4b extending in the transverse direction Y, from a first end of the frame 1 to a second end of the frame 1. Each row rl to r6 has first shutter flaps 4a pivoting in a first direction of rotation about a first shaft 8a and second shutter flaps 4b pivoting in a second direction of rotation about a shaft 8b, the first and second directions of rotation being opposite to each other (referenced in particular in [Fig.3]), this direction of rotation being represented by arrows near each shutter flap 4a or 4b on [Fig.2]. In this first embodiment of the invention, the trees 8a and 8b are fixed relative to the frame 1. They represent the axes around which the flaps 4a, 4b pivot.

[0049] The shutter flaps 4a are capable of pivoting from a first position in which the shutter flaps 4a prevent the passage of airflow to a second position in which the shutter flaps 4a allow the passage of airflow, by rotating in the clockwise direction relative to the transverse direction Y, and are called first shutter flaps 4a.

[0050] The shutter flaps 4b are capable of pivoting from the first position to the second position by rotating counterclockwise with respect to the transverse direction Y, and are called second shutter flaps 4b.

[0051] The frame 1 forming a grid, the trees 8a, 8b around which the first and second shutter flaps 4a, 4b are able to pivot are carried, for example clipped, in portions of the frame joining two of the openings of the grid.

[0052] Each shaft 8a, 8b supports an entire row of first or second shutter flaps 4a, 4b respectively and extends from the first end of frame 1 to the second end of frame 1, following its curved shape, in this first embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, the shutter flaps of a row of shutter flaps are each mounted on separate shafts.

[0053] A first row rl of the frame 1, located at an upper vertical end of the frame 1, includes second shutter flaps 4b, mounted on a shaft 8b carried by the upper vertical end of the frame 1, for example clipped onto it.

[0054] A second row r2 of the frame 1, arranged under the first row rl, comprises first shutter flaps 4a, mounted on a shaft 8a, the openings of the first shutter flaps 4a of the second row r2 interposing each between two openings of the second shutter flaps 4b of the first row rl.

[0055] A third row r3 of the frame 1, arranged below the second row r2, comprises second shutter flaps 4b, mounted on a shaft 8b, each of these second shutter flaps 4b of the third row r3 being arranged symmetrically to a first shutter flap 4a of the second row r2, with respect to an axis of symmetry parallel to their respective shafts 8b and 8a.

[0056] A fourth row r4 of the frame 1, arranged under the third row r3, includes first shutter flaps 4a, mounted on a shaft 8a, the openings of the first shutter flaps 4a of the fourth row r4 interposing each between two openings of the second shutter flaps 4b of the third row r3.

[0057] A fifth row r5 of the frame 1, arranged below the fourth row r4, comprises second shutter flaps 4b, mounted on a shaft 8b, each of these second shutter flaps 4b of the fifth row r5 being arranged symmetrically to a first shutter flap 4a of the fourth row r4, with respect to an axis of symmetry parallel to their respective shafts 8b and 8a.

[0058] Finally, a sixth row r6 of the frame 1, arranged under the fifth row r5, includes first shutter flaps 4a, mounted on a shaft 8a, the openings of the first shutter flaps 4a of the sixth row r6 interposing each between two openings of the second shutter flaps 4b of the fifth row r5.

[0059] The second row r2 and the third row r3 form a pair pl of rows whose trees 8a, 8b of their first and second shutter flaps 4a, 4b are brought close together, which allows the means for actuation of these first and second shutter flaps 4a, 4b to be shared.

[0060] Similarly, the fourth row r4 and the fifth row r5 form a pair p2 of rows whose trees 8a, 8b of their first and second shutter flaps 4a, 4b are brought close together.

[0061] It should be noted that the means for actuation of the shutter flaps 4a, 4b of frame 1 are not shown in figures 1 and 2.

[0062] Fig. 3 represents part of these actuation means, in particular a cable 5 capable of driving in translation two organs 2 each cooperating with a first shutter flap 4a of the second row r2 and a second shutter flap 4b of the third row r3, the latter being arranged symmetrically to the first shutter flap 4a of the second row r2 with respect to an axis of symmetry parallel to the shafts 8a, 8b.

[0063] More specifically, each first or second shutter flap 4a, 4b comprises a sleeve 44 pivotally mounted around the shaft 8a, 8b respectively, and a trapezoidal panel 42. The sleeve 44 of each first shutter flap 4a comprises a first cam track 3a, and the sleeve 44 of each second shutter flap 4b comprises a second cam track 3b.

[0064] Each component 2 in [Fig. 3] comprises a first finger 22 mounted in a first cam track 3a and a second finger 24 mounted in a second cam track 3b, component 2 being attached to the cable 5 positioned along the second and third rows r2, r3, between the two shafts 8a and 8b. It should be noted that other parts of the cable 5 are not positioned along the second and third rows r2, in particular parts of the cable 5 cooperating with one or more pulleys as explained later.

[0065] Each first or second cam track 3a, 3b comprises, as more easily seen [Fig.7]:

[0066] - a first arm 31 disposed in a median part of the sleeve 44 relative to the dimension of the sleeve 44 along the shaft respectively 8a, 8b,

[0067] - a second arm 33 disposed in an end portion of the sleeve 44 relative to the dimension of the sleeve 44 along the shaft respectively 8a, 8b, and

[0068] - a branch 32 connecting the first arm 31 and the second arm 33, which are arranged parallel to trees 8a, 8b.

[0069] Each first or second cam track 3a, 3b is formed by a groove in a sleeve 44, the groove having an S-shape. In other words, the first arm 31 and the second arm 33 are angularly arranged at different levels on the sleeve 44.

[0070] Returning to [Fig.3], the first cam paths 3a are each arranged symmetrically to a second cam path 3b with respect to an axis of symmetry parallel to the shafts 8a, 8b.

[0071] In [Fig.3], the fingers 22, 24 of each organ 2 are positioned in the first arm 31 of the cam track respectively 3a, 3b, which locks the first and second shutter flaps 4a, 4b in their first position.

[0072] On [Fig.4] however, the fingers 22, 24 of each organ 2 are positioned in the second arm 33 of the cam track respectively 3a, 3b, which locks the first and second shutter flaps 4a, 4b in their second position.

[0073] Indeed, the positions of the fingers 22, 24 of the members 2 are fixed in the vertical direction Z, therefore when the cable 5 translates parallel to the shafts 8a, 8b members 2, making the fingers 22, 24 of the members 2 pass from the first arms 31 to the second arms 33, the angular position of the second arms 33 must move angularly to get to the same level as that of the first arms 31 before the translational movement of the members 2.

[0074] Thus when the cable 5 translates parallel to the shafts 8a, 8b the members 2, making the fingers 22, 24 of the members 2 pass from the first arms 31 to the second arms 33, this causes the first and second flaps 4a, 4b to pivot from the first position to the second position.

[0075] Conversely, when the cable 5 translates parallel to the shafts 8a, 8b the members 2, passing the fingers 22, 24 of the members 2 from the second arms 33 to the first arm 31, this causes the first and second flaps 4a, 4b to pivot from the second position to the first position.

[0076] Figures 5 and 6 show in more detail the structure of an organ 2 cooperating with a first obturator flap 4a and a second obturator flap 4b.

[0077] The member 2 includes a pin 20 having a first face opposite the sleeves 44 of the first obturating flap 4a and the second obturating flap 4b, the first finger 22 and the second finger 24 of the member 2 projecting from this first face to enter respectively into the first cam track 3a of the first obturating flap 4a and into the second cam track 3b of the second obturating flap 4b.

[0078] A second face of the pin 20, opposite the first face, has a recess into which a spacer 26 is inserted, at least partially. The spacer 26 is the part of the component 2 that is secured to the cable 5; for example, the spacer 6 is a ring tightened onto the cable 5 by means of a screw, or crimped onto the cable 5. This spacer 26, by being inserted into the recess of the pin 20, causes it to move in translation when the cable 5 moves parallel to the trees 8a, 8b.

[0079] The pin 20 forms a rectangular frame around the clearance, a first edge 202 and a second edge 204 of the rectangular frame being opposite each other with respect to the spacer 26 and being parallel to the shafts 8a and 8b. The first edge 202 has the first finger 22 and the second edge 204 has the second finger 24. The other edges 206, 208 of the rectangular frame connecting the first edge 202 and the second edge 204 each have a groove 205, 207 respectively, parallel to the shafts 8a, 8b, and in which the cable is positioned.

[0080] The pin 20 is thus held firmly between the cable 5 and the sleeves 44, without requiring fastening by screwing or gluing. The cable 5 is itself held against the pins 20 of the components cooperating with the second and third rows r2, r3, as will be explained later with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

[0081] It is understood that the members cooperating with the shutter flaps 4b, 4a of the first row rl and the second row r6 are similar to the members 2 described above, but each has only one finger, which is inserted into the cam track 3b, 3a respectively of a first shutter flap 4a or a second shutter flap 4b. The single-finger members of the same row are attached to a cable arranged opposite the sleeves of the shutter flaps 4b or 4a of the row in order to ensure the stability of the device holding the members against the sleeves 44 of the shutter flaps 4b or 4a.

[0082] Figures 7 and 8 now explain how to rotate a first shutter flap 4a from the first position to the second position before rotating another shutter flap 4d of the shutter device 100 from the first position to the second position. The other shutter flap 4d is, for example, one of the first shutter flaps 4a or one of the second shutter flaps 4b of the shutter device 100, located in a portion of the frame 1 intended to open or close asynchronously with the other portions of the frame 1.

[0083] In [Fig. 7], the organ 2 cooperating with the cam track 3a of the first shutter flap 4a is shown schematically with only its first finger 22, to fully illustrate the cam track 3a. The cam track 3a of the sleeve 44 of the first shutter flap 4a has, on its arm 32, a midpoint 37, marking an intermediate angular position of the first shutter flap 4a between the first and second positions. This midpoint 37 is located at a first distance dl from a starting point of the first finger 22 situated at one end of the first arm 31 of the cam track 3a.

[0084] In [Fig. 8], the other shutter flap 4d has elements identical to those of the first shutter flap 4a and referenced in the same way. In particular, the other shutter flap 4d includes a cam track 3d comprising a first arm 31 and a second arm 33 parallel to the shaft around which the other shutter flap 4d pivots, these two arms 31, 33 being connected by a branch 32 comprising a midpoint 37.

[0085] A member 2 cooperating with the cam track 3d of the other shutter flap 4d is represented very schematically with only its first finger 22, to show the entire cam track 3d. The midpoint 37 of the branch 32 of the cam track 3d is located at a second distance d2 from a starting point of the first finger 22 situated at one end of the first arm 31 of the cam track 3d, the second distance d2 being strictly greater than the first distance d1.

[0086] Thus, when the first fingers 22 of the organs 2 cooperating with the first shutter flap 4a and the other shutter flap 4d are moved a distance between the first distance dl and the second distance d2, parallel to the respective shafts of the first shutter flap 4a and the other shutter flap 4d, and from their respective starting points on the first arms 31, then the first shutter flap 4a moves to the second position or to a position closer to the second position than to the first position, while the other shutter flap 4d remains in the first position or moves to a position closer to the first position than to the second position.

[0087] It is therefore understood that, when the other shutter flap 4d is the second flap 4b, different arrangements of the inflection points 37 on the cam paths 3a, 3b of the sleeves 44 of the shutter flaps 4a, 4b of the shutter device 100 allow, by the same translational movement of the organs 2 cooperating with these shutter flaps 4a, 4b, to carry out sequences of opening or closing of the shutter flaps 4a, 4b, in which certain shutter flaps 4a, 4b close before or after other shutter flaps 4a, 4b, and conversely open after or before these other shutter flaps 4a, 4b.

[0088] Figures 9 and 10 now show how the cable 5 is kept taut against the members 2 of the same row, for example the sixth row r6 of shutter flaps 4a.

[0089] On [Fig.9], a cable 5 is mounted on pulleys 7 and 9 and moves in translation along row r6, in a direction going from a first end of row r6 to a second opposite end of row r6, turning in the counterclockwise direction, which allows the shutter flaps 4a to be closed, in this first embodiment of the invention.

[0090] Figure 10 shows this same cable 5 moving in translation along row r6, in a direction from the second end of row r6 to the first end of row r6, by turning clockwise, which allows the shutter flaps 4a to be opened, in this first embodiment of the invention.

[0091] Since the frame 1 is curved in the (X, Y) plane, so that the cable 5 follows the shape of the frame 1, a guide rail 6 is fixed by screws 16 to the frame 1, and holds the spacers 26 of the members 2 cooperating with the shutter flaps 4a, in the corresponding pins 20 of the members 2. Thus, the cable 5 and the members 2 of row r6 are held between on the one hand the sleeves 44 of the shutter flaps 4a of row r6, and on the other hand the guide rail 6, holding the fingers of the members 2 in the cam tracks 3a of the sleeves 44 of row r6. When the cable 5 moves the members 2 in translation along the frame 1, the fingers of the members 2 remain held in the cam tracks 3a and open or close the shutter flaps 4a according to the direction of translation of the members 2.

[0092] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the spacers 26 do not protrude from the pins 20 in which they are positioned, and the guide rail 6 holds the pins 20 of the components 2 cooperating with the shutter flaps 4a against the sleeves 44 with which they cooperate. By this arrangement, the guide rail 6 also tightly holds the cable 5 along the frame 1, since the cable 5 is held in the pins 20, particularly at the grooves 205, 207.

[0093] Furthermore, in order to keep the cable 5 in position in the vertical direction Z, at the level of the sleeves 44 of the row r6, the screws 16 fixing the frame 1 to the guide rail 6 are arranged along the frame 1, alternately below the cable 5 and above the cable 5, so that the moving cable 5 slides on the screw passages of the frame 1, each screw passage forming a smooth substantially cylindrical envelope receiving a screw 16.

[0094] Figure 11 now shows a sealing device 101 according to the invention, in a second embodiment. The sealing device 101 comprises many elements identical to the first embodiment of the invention, referenced identically.

[0095] In this second embodiment of the invention, the shutter device 101 comprises three rows of shutter flaps 4a, each pivotally actuated by a single-finger member 2 mounted in a cam track 3a of the sleeve 44 of the shutter flap 4a. Since the shutter device 101 does not include shutter flaps 4b, these are replaced by fixed covers 11, attached to a frame 10 of the shutter device 101. Furthermore, to better understand [Fig. 11], the flaps 4a open outwards from the vehicle.

[0096] The shuttering device 101 comprises three cables 5, each fixed to the spacers of the cooperating members with the shuttering flaps 4a of a single row. A rail of guide 6 per row maintains a cable 5 capable of driving the elements of the row in translation, against the frame 10.

[0097] The means for driving the members of a row in translation therefore include a cable 5 to which are attached the members which it drives in translation, and two pulleys 7, 9 arranged at the respective ends of the row, the cable 5 being mounted around the two pulleys 7, 9, so that the rotary movement of the latter drives the cable 5 in translation between the two pulleys 7, 9.

[0098] Furthermore, a cable 89 is mounted around each pulley 9 and an actuator 8, which is, for example, a shaft of an electric motor. Three cables 89 are thus mounted around the actuator 8, whose rotary motion is capable of driving the pulleys 9 in rotation in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, thanks to the cables 89 linking their motion to that of the actuator 8.

[0099] The means for actuation of the shutter flaps 4a therefore include, in addition to the components and their means for translational drive, the actuator 8, and the cables 89.

[0100] 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 frame of the sealing device according to the invention can take different shapes and curves and can be inclined in the vertical direction. The sealing flaps can open outwards from the vehicle. Generally, 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, 101) for air entering a vehicle, comprising a frame (1, 10) configured to delimit a passage allowing an airflow to pass through it, and at least one shuttering flap (4a, 4b, 4d) mounted pivotally about an axis, the shuttering device (100, 101) comprising means for actuating the shuttering flap (4a, 4b, 4d), capable of moving the shuttering flap (4a, 4b, 4d) from a first position in which the shuttering flap (4a, 4b, 4d) prevents the passage of the airflow to a second position in which the shuttering flap (4a, 4b, 4d) allows the passage of the airflow, the shuttering device (100, 101) being characterized in that the actuation means comprise an organ (2) capable of generating a pivoting of the shutter flap (4a, 4b, 4d) and at least one means of driving the organ (2) in translation,the translational drive means being capable of moving the organ (2) parallel to the axis.

2. A sealing device (100, 101) according to claim 1, in which the sealing flap (4a, 4b, 4d) comprises a sleeve (44) mounted pivotally about the axis and provided with at least one cam track (3a, 3b, 3d), the member (2) comprising at least one finger (22, 24) capable of following the cam track (3a, 3b, 3d).

3. A sealing device (100, 101) according to claim 2, wherein the cam track (3a, 3b, 3d) is a groove comprising at least one arm (32) including a midpoint (37).

4. A shuttering device (100, 101) according to claim 3, comprising at least two members (2) and at least one row (rl, r2, r3, r4, r5, r6) of at least two shuttering flaps (4a, 4b, 4d) extending from a first end of the frame (1, 10) to a second end of the frame (1, 10), the sleeves (44) of the shuttering flaps (4a, 4b, 4d) of the row being mounted pivotally about the same or more axes, each sleeve (44) carrying a cam track (3a, 3b, 3d) cooperating respectively with one of the members (2), the same drive means being capable of generating a translation of the members (2) cooperating with the sleeves (44).

5. A shuttering device (100, 101) according to claim 3 or 4 comprising at least two shuttering flaps (4a, 4d) adapted to pass from the first to the second position and whose sleeves (44) each have a cam track (3a, 3d), the midpoint (37) of the branch (32) of the cam track (3d) of one of the two shutter flaps (4d) being configured to be reached after the midpoint (37) of the branch (32) of the cam track (3a) of the other of the two shutter flaps (4a), during a passage from the first position to the second position.

6. A shuttering device (100, 101) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, comprising at least a first shuttering flap (4a) and a second shuttering flap (4b) configured to move from the first position to the second position by pivoting in different directions of rotation about distinct axes, the sleeve (44) of the first shuttering flap (4a) comprising a first cam track (3a) and the sleeve (44) of the second shuttering flap (4b) comprising a second cam track (3b), the member (2) comprising a first finger (22) adapted to follow the first cam track (3a) and a second finger (24) adapted to follow the second cam track (3b).

7. A shuttering device (100, 101) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein said at least one translational drive means comprises at least one cable (5) on which the member (2) is fixed, and at least one pulley (7, 9) on which the cable (5) is mounted, the pulley (7, 9) being capable of moving the cable (5) parallel to the axis, in a first direction moving the shuttering flap (4a, 4b, 4d) from the first position to the second position, and in a second direction moving the shuttering flap (4a, 4b, 4d) from the second position to the first position.

8. A shuttering device (100, 101) according to claims 6 and 7, wherein the cable (5) is arranged between the axis of the first shuttering flap (4a) and the axis of the second shuttering flap (4b).

9. A shuttering device (100, 101) according to all claims 6 to 8, comprising a cable (5) and at least one pulley (7, 9) per pair (pl, p2) of rows consisting of one row (r2, r4) of first shuttering flaps (4a) and one row (r3, r5) of second shuttering flaps (4b), or per isolated row (rl, r6) of first shuttering flaps (4a) or second shuttering flaps (4b).

10. A sealing device (100, 101) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising a single actuator (8) rotationally coupled to pulleys (7, 9) on which at least two cables (5) are mounted.

11. A shuttering device (100, 101) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, comprising at least one row (r1, r2, r3, r4, r5, r6) of shuttering flaps (4a, 4b, 4d) extending from a first end of the frame (1, 10) to a second end of the frame (1, 10), the sleeves (44) of the shuttering flaps (4a, 4b, 4d) of the row being mounted pivotally about one or more axes, each sleeve (44) carrying a cam track (3a, 3b, 3d) cooperating with a member (2) made integral with the cable (5), and wherein said at least one drive means comprises a guide rail (6) integral with the frame (1, 10), the cable (5) and the members (2) of the row being arranged between the frame (1, 10) and the guide rail (6), the latter being able to hold the fingers (22, 24) of the organs (2) in the cam tracks (3a, 3b, 3d) of the sleeves (44) of the row.

12. A sealing device (100, 101) according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the member (2) comprises a spacer (26) integral with the cable (5) and a pin (20) capable of being driven by the spacer (26), the pin (20) comprising said at least one finger (22, 24) and a clearance into which at least a part of the spacer (26) is inserted, the pin (20) further comprising grooves (205, 207) on either side of the spacer (26), the grooves (205, 207) being parallel to the axis and the cable (5) being positioned partly in the grooves (205, 207).

13. A shuttering device (100, 101) according to claim 12 taken in dependence on claim 6, in which the pin (20) forms around the clearance a first edge (202) and a second edge (204) parallel to the axes of the first and second shutter flaps (4a, 4b), the first edge (202) comprising the first finger (22) mounted in the first cam track (3a), and the second edge (204), opposite the first edge (202) with respect to the spacer (26), comprising the second finger (24) mounted in the second cam track (3b).

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