CUSTOMIZABLE FLAP FOR A VEHICLE AIR CONTROL DEVICE

Abstract

A flap (VD) equips a vehicle's air intake control device and comprises: - a support piece (PS) having a first front face (FV1) including first fastening elements (EF1), and - an add-on piece (PR) chosen from a set of add-ons differing from each other by at least one characteristic, and comprising a face (FI) equipped with second fastening elements (EF2) cooperating with the first fastening elements (EF1) to fix it securely to the first front face (FV1). Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: CUSTOMIZABLE FLAP FOR A VEHICLE AIR CONTROL DEVICE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to vehicles comprising a front facade including an air intake control device with flap(s), and more specifically the arrangement of such flaps. State of the art

[0002] Some vehicles, generally of the automobile type, include a front front panel comprising at least one air intake control device comprising a rigid frame in which at least one flap is rotatably mounted, and allowing controlled air supply to at least one piece of equipment located downstream.

[0003] Since each flap is visible to a person standing in front of the vehicle's front facade, it contributes not only to controlling the air intake into the vehicle, but also to the vehicle's style. Therefore, each time a new vehicle silhouette is designed, one is forced either to reuse an existing air intake control device, thus eliminating diversity, or to design a new air intake control device adapted to the style of this new silhouette, which proves to be time-consuming and expensive.

[0004] Furthermore, when vehicles with N different body styles are to be assembled on the same assembly line with N different air intake control devices, it is necessary to supply the line with these N different air intake control devices. This significantly increases the space required in the assembly area for the air intake control devices and can lead to errors in selecting the correct air intake control device, thus complicating inventory management. Moreover, to avoid further complicating inventory management and increasing the space required in the assembly area, it is forbidden to produce different variations of each type of air intake control device, which prevents customization options for customers.

[0005] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0006] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a suitable component to be part of a vehicle air intake control device.

[0007] This component is characterized by the fact that it comprises:

[0008] - a support piece (suitable for rotational mounting in a rigid frame of the device) comprising a first front face including first fastening elements, and

[0009] - an added part chosen from a set of differing added parts one from the other by at least one characteristic, and comprising a face provided with second fixing elements cooperating with the first fixing elements to fix it securely to the first front face.

[0010] Thanks to the invention, it is now possible to use for different vehicle silhouettes the same air intake control device with flaps having respectively added parts differing from each other by at least one characteristic, which offers diversity and makes it possible, each time a new vehicle silhouette is designed, not to have to design a new air intake control device adapted to the style of this new silhouette.

[0011] The flap according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0012] - the first and second fixing elements can be clipping elements;

[0013] - in the presence of the first option, the first fastening elements can be clipping tabs, and the second fixing elements can be chosen from clipping ribs, clipping holes and clipping grooves;

[0014] - each feature of the added part can be chosen from a color, a shape, appearance and material;

[0015] - the added part may include a second front face which is convex;

[0016] - the first front face of its support piece may include a front deflector which is installed in a hidden part of a side face of the added part, and designed to deflect air which reaches it towards an unhidden part of this side face in order to limit air entry into the added part.

[0017] The invention also proposes an air intake control device, on the one hand, suitable for equipping a front face of a vehicle, and, on the other hand, comprising a rigid frame in which is mounted for rotation at least one flap of the type presented above.

[0018] For example, this air inlet control device may include at least two flaps mounted for rotation in its rigid frame, placed side by side. In this case, this air inlet control device may, for example, include four flaps mounted for rotation in its rigid frame, placed side by side in two parallel rows.

[0019] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, comprising a front facade located in a front end and including at least one air intake control device of the type presented above. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”)), in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, a part of an example of a vehicle front fascia comprising an example embodiment of an air intake control device according to the invention,

[0022] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, the air intake control device of [Fig. 1], equipped with four initial examples of shutter embodiments according to the invention, and before it became part of the front facade,

[0023] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from the front side, the support parts and an added part of a first example of a shutter embodiment according to the invention, before they are coupled to each other by clipping,

[0024] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in a longitudinal plane and vertical, the flap of [Fig.3], once its support pieces and added piece are coupled to each other by clipping, and

[0025] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a side view, a second example of construction of a shutter according to the invention, once its support parts and added part are coupled to each other. Detailed description of the invention

[0026] The invention aims in particular to provide a customizable VD flap intended to be part of a DC air intake control device, itself intended to be part of a front panel of a vehicle.

[0027] In what follows, the vehicle is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. For example, a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air) comprising a front end that must include at least one air intake control device with flap(s).

[0028] In figures 1 to 5, the direction X is intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the direction Y is intended to be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the direction Z is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0029] Furthermore, in the preceding and following text, the term "front" is defined with respect to the front end of the vehicle, and the term "rear" is defined with respect to the rear end of the vehicle (opposite the front end). Consequently, the front part of an element is (intended to be) oriented towards the front end of the vehicle, while the rear part of that element is (intended to be) oriented towards the rear end of the vehicle.

[0030] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a portion of an example of a front FVV fascia of a vehicle (here, a car) intended to be installed at the front end of this vehicle and comprising an example embodiment of a DC air intake control device according to the invention. It should be noted that the front FVV fascia could include several (at least two) DC air intake control devices.

[0031] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 and 2, a DC air inlet control device according to the invention comprises a rigid frame CR and at least one flap VD according to the invention, rotatably mounted in this rigid frame CR. For example, each flap VD can be rotated by at least one electric motor (not shown).

[0032] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 and 2, four VD flaps are rotationally mounted in the rigid frame CR, placed side by side (and more precisely, one above the other in the vertical direction Z) in two parallel rows. However, the number of VD flaps rotationally mounted in the rigid frame CR can be any value greater than or equal to one. For example, at least two VD flaps can be rotationally mounted in the rigid frame CR, placed side by side. The individual VD flaps can be rotated (or controlled) synchronously (all at the same time and in the same way) or independently of each other.

[0033] As illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, a flap VD, according to the invention, comprises a support piece PS and an added piece PR. The support piece PS comprises a first front face FV1 and is arranged so as to be rotationally mounted in the rigid frame CR. For example, this support piece PS can be made by molding a plastic or synthetic material that is at least semi-rigid.

[0034] As illustrated in figures 3 and 4, the first front face FV 1 (of the support piece PS) includes first fixing elements EF1.

[0035] The PR component is selected from a set of PR components that differ from each other by at least one characteristic. Furthermore, and as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the PR component comprises a face (here internal FI) which is provided with second fastening elements EF2 cooperating with the first fastening elements EF1 to fix it securely to the first front face FV1.

[0036] Thus, the same DC air intake control device can now be used for different vehicle silhouettes, but with VD flaps having PR add-on parts that differ from each other by at least one characteristic. In other words, all the same elements of a DC air intake control device can be reused (and in particular the rigid frame CR, each electric motor, the control and power supply means, and the PS support parts), and the PR add-on part for each VD flap can be chosen from the set of available PR add-ons, depending on the vehicle style and / or the preferences of the customer using the vehicle. This offers diversity and makes it possible, each time a new vehicle silhouette is designed, to avoid having to design a new air intake control device adapted to the style of that new silhouette.Furthermore, when vehicles with N different silhouettes need to be assembled on the same assembly line, this significantly reduces the footprint of the air intake control device assembly area and decreases the complexity of inventory management.

[0037] It is also now possible for the customer to choose their own add-on(s) according to their preferences, even if these do not correspond to the style desired by the vehicle manufacturer, thus offering significant customization possibilities. Furthermore, it is now possible to assemble vehicles on an assembly line without the PR add-on(s) and to defer the coupling of these (PR) add-ons to the dealership after the customer has selected them, thereby further reducing the footprint of the air intake control device assembly area on that assembly line.

[0038] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 3 and 4, the first EF1 and second EF2 fixing elements EF1 can be clipping elements.

[0039] In this case, and as illustrated, without limitation and at least partially, in Figures 3 and 4, the first fastening elements EF1 can, for example, be clipping tabs, and the second fastening elements EF2 can, for example, be selected from clipping ribs, clipping holes, and clipping grooves. Thus, in the example illustrated, without limitation, in [Fig. 4], the second fastening elements EF2 are clipping ribs, but in unillustrated embodiments, they could be clipping holes or clipping grooves.

[0040] It should be noted that in another embodiment not illustrated, the first EF1 and second EF2 fastening elements EF1 may be screwing means. Thus, the first fastening elements EF1 could, for example, be threaded holes or through holes associated respectively with nuts, and the second elements of EF2 fixing could, for example, be screws passing through the wall of each PR add-on.

[0041] Also, for example, each characteristic of the PR inserts can be chosen from a color, a shape, an appearance, and a material. In this case, the PR inserts can differ from each other by different colors and / or different shapes and / or different appearances (on their second front faces FV2) and / or different materials. It should be noted, firstly, that the list of characteristics given above is not exhaustive, and secondly, that PR inserts can differ from each other by several (at least two) characteristics.

[0042] Also, for example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 3 to 5, each (retaining) PR component may include a second convex (or domed) front face FV2. This allows for the definition of second fastening elements EF2 within the internal space of each (retaining) PR component (and more precisely on its internal face FI), particularly when these are clipping elements. However, when the second fastening elements EF2 are screws, the second front face FV2 of each (retaining) PR component may be flat or slightly concave.

[0043] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 5], the first front face FV1 (of the support piece PS) may include a deflector DA in front of which is installed a masked portion of a side face FL of the add-on PR. This deflector DA is arranged so as to deflect the air that reaches it towards an unmasked portion of the side face FL of this add-on PR, in order to limit (and if possible completely prevent) the entry of air into the add-on PR.

[0044] This last option is designed to take into account the fact that the support piece PS can deform, and in particular become concave, when the pressure exerted by the air striking it is significant (typically at high speed). It is understood that in the presence of such deformation, air could pass into the resulting gap created between the first front face FV 1 and the rear face of the added part PR, which could cause (at least partial) unclipping and / or turbulence and / or aerodynamic pressure losses and / or noise. The deflector DA therefore makes it possible to significantly reduce the amount of air that can penetrate inside the added part PR.

[0045] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 5], the deflector DA can be an integral part of the support piece PS by projecting from its first front face FV1, particularly when the support piece PS is made by molding. However, the deflector DA could also be attached to the first front face FV1 of the support piece PS, for example by bonding, welding, or screwing.

[0046] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and partially on [Fig.5], the deflector DA can be in the form of a rib extending substantially over the entire length of the support piece PS (here along the transverse direction Y), and having at least one inclined face and possibly two inclined faces at different angles.

[0047] For example, the PR add-on parts of the assembly can be made by molding a plastic or synthetic material that is at least semi-rigid. But other materials can be used.

Claims

Demands

1. Flap (VD) for a vehicle air intake control (DC) device, characterized in that it comprises i) a support piece (PS) having a first front face (FV1) comprising first fastening elements (EF1), and ii) an add-on piece (PR) selected from a set of add-on pieces (PR) differing from each other by at least one characteristic, and comprising a face (FI) provided with second fastening elements (EF2) cooperating with said first fastening elements (EF1) to fix it securely to said first front face (FV1).

2. Flap according to claim 1, characterized in that said first (EF1) and second (EF2) fastening elements (EF1) are clipping elements.

3. Flap according to claim 2, characterized in that said first fixing elements (EF1) are clipping tabs, and said second fixing elements (EF2) are selected from clipping ribs, clipping holes and clipping grooves.

4. A shutter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each characteristic is chosen from a colour, a shape, an appearance and a material.

5. Flap according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said added part (PR) comprises a second convex front face (FV2).

6. Flap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first front face (FV1) of the support piece (PS) comprises a deflector (DA) in front of which is installed a masked part of a side face (FL) of said add-on piece (PR), and adapted to deflect air which reaches it towards an unmasked part of said side face (FL) in order to limit an air entry inside said add-on piece (PR).

7. Air intake control device (DC) suitable for equipping a front fascia (FVV) of a vehicle and comprising a rigid frame (CR), characterized in that it further comprises at least one flap (VD) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, rotatably mounted in said rigid frame (CR).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises at least two flaps (VD) mounted for rotation in said rigid frame (CR) by being placed side by side.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises four flaps (VD) mounted for rotation in said rigid frame (CR) by being placed side by side in two parallel rows.

10. Vehicle comprising a front fascia (FVV) located in a front end, characterized in that said front fascia (FVV) comprises at least one air intake control device (DC) according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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