Grille shutter flap and gripping device for gripping the same

Abstract

To accurately position a flap relative to a gripping device.SOLUTION: A substantially long plate-like portion 11 is provided on a flap body portion 7 of a flap 5 for a grille shutter provided with the long flap body portion 7 and first and second rotary shaft portions 9a and 9b coaxially projected on both sides in a longitudinal direction of the flap body portion 7. A flat region 15 is formed on one surface of the plate-like portion 11, and a first rib 17 sandwiching at least a portion of the flat region 15 from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like portion 11 is projected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flap for a grill shutter, which includes an elongated main body portion and shaft portions coaxially protruding from both longitudinal sides of the elongated main body portion, and a gripping device for gripping the flap.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a flap for a grill shutter, which includes an elongated main body portion and shaft portions coaxially protruding from both longitudinal sides of the elongated main body portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when a flap as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is gripped by a gripping device attached to the tip of a robot arm and automatically assembled to a frame, it is necessary to engage the shaft portion of the flap with the bearing portion of the frame. Therefore, it is required to accurately position the flap with respect to the gripping device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object thereof is to enable accurate positioning of the flap with respect to the gripping device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that ribs are provided on the flap in a direction and at a position suitable for positioning.

[0007] Specifically, the first invention is directed to a flap for a grill shutter, which includes an elongated main body portion and a pair of coaxial shaft portions protruding on both longitudinal sides of the main body portion, and takes the following solution measures.

[0008] That is, in the first invention, the main body portion has a substantially long plate-shaped plate portion, a flat region is formed on one surface of the plate portion, and first ribs that sandwich at least a part of the flat region from both longitudinal sides of the plate portion project.

[0009] In the second invention, in the flap for a grill shutter according to the first invention, the flat region is formed at least near both longitudinal ends of the one surface of the plate portion, and the first ribs are formed so as to sandwich, from both longitudinal sides of the plate portion, a plurality of partition regions arranged in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion in the flat region formed near both longitudinal ends of the plate portion.

[0010] In the third invention, in the flap for a grill shutter according to the second invention, a mesh-like second rib continuous with the first rib projects on the outer peripheral side of the region sandwiched by the first rib on the one surface of the plate portion.

[0011] The fourth invention is a gripping device attached to the tip of a robot arm for gripping a flap for a grill shutter according to the first invention, which includes a pair of grippers consisting of a first gripper and a second gripper with a positioning portion protruding. In the gripping state where the flap is gripped, the first gripper abuts on the other surface of the plate portion, while the positioning portion of the second gripper abuts on the flat region sandwiched by the first rib from both longitudinal sides, and the flap is restricted from moving in the thickness direction and the longitudinal direction of the plate portion with respect to the gripping device in the longitudinal direction of the plate portion and facing the first rib from both longitudinal sides of the plate portion.

[0012] The fifth invention is characterized in that, in the gripping device according to the fourth invention, a plurality of the pairs of gripping tools are provided, and the plurality of pairs of gripping tools are arranged to grip the plurality of the flaps in parallel with each other.

[0013] The sixth invention is characterized in that, in the gripping device according to the fifth invention, the first rib is formed so as to sandwich, from both longitudinal sides of the plate-shaped portion, a plurality of partition regions arranged in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped portion in the flat region, and one of the gripping tools of each pair of gripping tools is fixed to the tip of the robot arm, while the other gripping tool of each pair of gripping tools is provided so as to be able to approach and separate from the one gripping tool. In the gripping state, the positioning portions of each pair of gripping tools abut on any one of the partition regions, and the partition region on which the positioning portion of the pair of gripping tools that grips one of the two adjacent flaps abuts and the partition region on which the positioning portion of the pair of gripping tools that grips the other flap abuts are different from each other.

[0014] The seventh invention is a gripping method for gripping the flap for the grill shutter according to the first invention by the gripping device according to the fourth invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the first invention, by providing a positioning portion in the gripping device and bringing the positioning portion into contact with the flat region on the inner peripheral side of the first rib in the gripping state where the flap is gripped by the gripping device, and opposing the first rib from both longitudinal sides of the plate-shaped portion, it is possible to restrict the movement of the flap in the thickness direction and the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped portion with respect to the gripping device. Therefore, when assembling the flap to the frame of the grill shutter, the flap can be accurately positioned with respect to the gripping device.

[0016] In addition, since the first rib serves not only as a role of positioning the flap with respect to the gripping device but also as a role of reinforcing the plate-shaped portion, the rigidity of the flap can be increased.

[0017] According to the second invention, when a plurality of pairs of gripping tools, each consisting of a first gripping tool and a second gripping tool with a protruding positioning portion, are provided in a gripping device so as to grip a plurality of flaps parallel to each other, the positioning portions of two pairs of gripping tools that grip adjacent flaps are brought into contact with different partition regions, whereby each flap can be positioned with respect to the gripping device. Therefore, even when the distance between adjacent flaps is short and the two pairs of gripping tools that grip adjacent flaps cannot be arranged at equal positions in the longitudinal direction of the flap, by arranging these two pairs of gripping tools at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the flap, the adjacent flaps can be simultaneously gripped by the gripping device.

[0018] According to the third invention, since the plate-like portion can be further reinforced by the second rib, the rigidity of the flap can be further increased.

[0019] According to the fourth invention, since the movement of the flap in the thickness direction and the longitudinal direction with respect to the gripping device can be restricted by the positioning portion, the flap can be accurately positioned with respect to the gripping device when assembling the flap to the frame of the grill shutter.

[0020] According to the fifth invention, a plurality of flaps can be simultaneously gripped by the gripping device.

[0021] According to the sixth invention, even when the distance between adjacent flaps is short and the two pairs of gripping tools that grip adjacent flaps cannot be arranged at equal positions in the longitudinal direction of the flap, by arranging these two pairs of gripping tools at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the flap, the adjacent flaps can be simultaneously gripped by the gripping device.

[0022] According to the seventh invention, the same effect as that of the fourth invention can be achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows a grill shutter 1. This grill shutter 1 is provided behind the intake port provided on the front end surface of the vehicle with its surface facing the front of the vehicle. This grill shutter 1 opens and closes a guide portion that guides the cooling air taken in from the intake port to the radiator.

[0026] The grill shutter 1 includes a frame 3 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The frame 3 is made of a resin such as glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF: polypropylene glass fiber). In the frame 3, a pair of first to third substantially rectangular openings 3a to 3c are symmetrically formed in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) in order from above. The outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the first opening 3a is formed in a straight line, and the upper end portion of the inner edge in the vehicle width direction of the first opening 3a is located outside the vehicle width direction from its lower portion. Therefore, the upper end portion of the first opening 3a is narrower than its lower side. A plurality of shaft holes (not shown) are formed on the end surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the first to third openings 3a to 3c, and a first bearing wall portion (not shown) projects from the peripheral portion on the rear side of the vehicle of each shaft hole. A plurality of U-shaped second bearing wall portions 3d that open toward the front of the vehicle are integrally projected toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction on the end surface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the first to third openings 3a to 3c so as to correspond to the shaft holes.

[0027] In the first to third openings 3a to 3c of the frame 3, a plurality of long flaps 5 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction while extending in the vehicle width direction. These plurality of flaps 5 are injection molded products of an integral body made of a resin such as glass fiber reinforced polyamide (PA-GF: polyamide glass fiber) or glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF: polypropylene glass fiber). These plurality of flaps 5 open and close the first to third openings 3a to 3c by rotating about a predetermined rotation axis X by being driven by a drive device (not shown).

[0028] Among the plurality of flaps 5, the second flap from the top of the third opening 3c is a drive flap, and the other flaps are driven flaps.

[0029] The flap 5 provided in the third opening 3c, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a long flap body portion 7, first and second rotating shaft portions 9a and 9b coaxially projecting from both longitudinal sides of the flap body portion 7, and a link shaft portion 10 projecting from the inner end portion of the flap body portion 7 in the vehicle width direction. Here, the configuration of the flap 5 in the third opening 3c will be described. The flaps 5 in the first and second openings 3a and 3b also have the same configuration as the flap 5 in the third opening 3c except for the length of the flap body portion 7 in the longitudinal direction. The first rotating shaft portion 9a projects from the inner end portion of the flap body portion 7 in the vehicle width direction, and the second rotating shaft portion 9b projects from the outer end portion of the flap body portion 7 in the vehicle width direction. The first rotating shaft portion 9a of each flap 5 is inserted into the shaft hole of the frame 3. On the other hand, the second rotating shaft portion 9b is fitted into the second bearing wall portion 3d. A shielding member 4 shown only in FIG. 1 is attached to the frame 3 so as to cover the second rotating shaft portion 9b from the open side of the second bearing wall portion 3d. Thereby, the detachment of the second rotating shaft portion 9b from the second bearing wall portion 3d is restricted. The shielding member 4 is made of a resin such as glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF: polypropylene glass fiber). Further, the link shaft portions 10 of the plurality of flaps 5 are inserted into the insertion holes of a common link member (not shown). Thereby, the plurality of flaps 5 are interlocked so as to face in the common direction. The link member (not shown) is made of a resin such as glass fiber reinforced polyamide (PA-GF: polyamide glass fiber) or glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF: polypropylene glass fiber). Although the thicknesses of the first rotating shaft portions 9a are different between the drive flap and the driven flap, detailed description of these differences is omitted.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the flap main body 7 has a plate-like portion 11 that is substantially long and plate-shaped. Here, with the surface facing the front of the vehicle in the closed state of the flap 5 as the front surface of the plate-like portion 11 and the surface facing the rear of the vehicle as the back surface of the plate-like portion 11. In a region excluding both ends in the short-side direction of the plate-like portion 11, recessed portions 13 that are recessed on the front surface side are formed. The recessed portion 13 has a bottom wall portion 13a located on the front surface side, a pair of side wall portions 13b that project from both longitudinal edge portions of the bottom wall portion 13a to the front side and the back side, and inclined wall portions 13c that extend obliquely rearward from both end portions in the width (short-side) direction of the bottom wall portion 13a toward the outside in the width direction. The back surface of the bottom wall portion 13a constitutes a flat flat region 15.

[0031] Near one end in the width direction near both longitudinal ends of the back surface of the bottom wall portion 13a of the plate-like portion 11, first ribs 17 are integrally projected so as to surround three rectangular partition regions 15a to 15c arranged in order from the outside in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like portion 11 in the longitudinal direction of the flat region 15, respectively, from both sides in the longitudinal direction and both sides in the width direction of the plate-like portion 11. The first ribs 17 sandwich the three partition regions 15a to 15c from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like portion 11, respectively. Among the first ribs 17, the portions protruding from both longitudinal edge portions of the bottom wall portion 13a constitute a part of the side wall portion 13b.

[0032] On the outer peripheral side of the first rib 17 on the back surfaces of the bottom wall portion 13a and the inclined wall portion 13c of the plate-like portion 11, that is, in a region excluding the partition regions 15a to 15c and the projecting portions of the first rib 17, mesh-like second ribs 19 are projected substantially over the entire area. The second ribs 19 are formed in a diagonal lattice shape, but may be formed in a vertical and horizontal lattice shape.

[0033] To assemble the flap 5 for the third opening 3c configured as described above to the frame 3, first, four of the above flaps 5, a gripping device 100 shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, and a flap supply table 200 shown in FIG. 7 are prepared.

[0034] The gripping device 100 is attached to the tip of a robot arm (not shown) and, as shown in FIG. 4, grips four flaps 5 in parallel with each other. The gripping device 100 includes a base member 110 fixed to the tip of a robot arm (not shown), an actuator 120 fixed to the base member 110, an interlocking panel 130 driven by the actuator 120, and eight gripping tool pairs 140 each consisting of a first gripping tool 141 and a second gripping tool 142.

[0035] The base member 110 is made of a metal such as iron or aluminum. When the base member 110 is made of aluminum, the weight of the gripping device 100 can be reduced. The base member 110 has a substantially plate-shaped base main body portion 111 that is substantially rectangular in plan view. At both longitudinal ends of the base main body portion 111, four recesses 112a to 112d that are recessed inward in the longitudinal direction are formed at intervals from the right side in FIG. 5. The recess 112d at one end of the base main body portion 111 in the short side direction (the left side in FIG. 5) is open to the one side in the short side direction. On one surface of the base main body portion 111, a robot arm connection portion 113 that is fixed to the robot arm by fastening projects. The robot arm connection portion 113 includes a columnar portion 113a that projects from the base main body portion 111 and a flange portion 113b that is formed so as to project outward over the entire circumference at the tip of the columnar portion 113a. The actuator 120 is attached to the projecting surface of the robot arm connection portion 113 of the base main body portion 111.

[0036] Also, four first gripping tools 141 are fixed at intervals in the short side direction to both longitudinal ends of the surface of the base main body portion 111 on the opposite side of the projecting surface of the robot arm connection portion 113. The first gripping tools 141 are arranged so as to sandwich three of the recesses 112a to 112c other than the recess 112d that is open in the short side direction between adjacent first gripping tools 141. The first gripping tool 141 is made of a metal such as iron. On the one surface of each first gripping tool 141 in the short side direction, a concave portion 141a is formed so as to correspond to the concave portion 13 of the flap 5.

[0037] The interlocking panel 130 is made of a metal such as iron or aluminum. When the interlocking panel 130 is made of aluminum, the gripping device 100 can be lightened. The interlocking panel 130 is formed in a substantially U shape in plan view, and overlaps from the protruding surface side of the robot arm connection portion 113 at both longitudinal ends and one end in the short direction of the base main body portion 111. Further, one end of the interlocking panel 130 in the short direction is bent at a right angle toward the base main body portion 111 side. The interlocking panel 130 does not overlap with the robot arm connection portion 113 and the actuator 120 of the base member 110.

[0038] Around the surface on the base main body portion 111 side around the portion overlapping the recesses 112a to 112d of the base main body portion 111 in the interlocking panel 130, four second gripping tools 142 are respectively attached. The second gripping tool 142 is made of a metal such as iron. Each second gripping tool 142 includes a plate-shaped attachment portion 142a that faces and abuts against the interlocking panel 130, and a plate-shaped long portion 142b whose plate surface faces the short direction of the base main body portion 111 and extends perpendicularly from the end on the other side in the short direction of the base main body portion 111 (the right side in FIG. 5) of the attachment portion 142a. The attachment portion 142a and the long portion 142b are formed by bending a common plate member. At the end of the long portion 142b on the side opposite to the attachment portion 142a, a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped positioning portion 142c having a substantially square cross section and protruding toward the other side in the short direction of the base main body portion 111 (the right side in FIG. 5) is provided. By driving the interlocking panel 130 by the actuator 120, the second gripping tool 142 is made to approach and separate from the first gripping tool 141.

[0039] The flap supply table 200 includes a support plate portion 201. Four pairs of support piece portions 202 project from the support plate portion 201 so as to support the flap main body portions 7 of the four flaps 5 at two locations spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. An insertion groove 202a for inserting a portion approximately half of the width direction of the flap main body portion 7 is formed in each support piece portion 202. In a state where the flap 5 is supported by the flap supply table 200, the partition regions 15a to 15c of the flap main body portion 7 are located outside the insertion groove 202a and are exposed. The flap supply table 200 can support the four flaps 5 in parallel with each other with the flap main body portions 7 of the respective flaps 5 inserted into the insertion grooves 202a. Further, four pairs of protruding piece portions (not shown) that regulate the movement of the flap 5 in the longitudinal direction by facing the flap main body portion 7 of the supported flap 5 from both sides in the longitudinal direction project from the support plate portion 201.

[0040] Then, as shown in FIG. 7, while supporting the four flaps 5 by the flap supply table 200 and separating each second gripper 142 from the corresponding first gripper 141, the gripping device 100 is brought close to the flap 5 by driving a robot arm (not shown). Thereby, the positioning portion 142c of each second gripper 142 is opposed to the central partition region 15b in the vicinity of the longitudinal end of the flap 5. At this time, the first gripper 141 is separated from the surface of the flap 5.

[0041] Next, by driving a robot arm (not shown), the gripping device 100 is slid to the left side in FIG. 7, so that each first gripper 141 is brought into contact with the surface of the plate-shaped portion 11 of the flap 5. In this state, the recess 13 of the flap 5 fits into the concave portion 141a of each first gripper 141.

[0042] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, by driving the interlocking panel 130 with the actuator 120, each second gripper 142 is brought closer to the corresponding first gripper 141. Then, as also shown in FIG. 6, the positioning portion 142c of each second gripper 142 abuts on the central partition region 15b near the longitudinal end of the flap 5. As a result, the four flaps 5 are simultaneously gripped by the gripping device 100. In this way, in the gripping state where the flap 5 is gripped by the gripping device 100, each first gripper 141 abuts on the surface of the plate-like portion 11 of the flap 5. Further, the positioning portion 142c of the second gripper 142 abuts on the partition region 15b, that is, the flat region 15 on the inner peripheral side of the first rib 17, and restricts the movement of the flap 5 in the thickness direction of the plate-like portion 11 with respect to the gripping device 100. Also, in this gripping state, the positioning portion 142c of the second gripper 142 further restricts the movement of the flap 5 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the plate-like portion 11 with respect to the gripping device 100 from both sides in the longitudinal direction and both sides in the width direction of the plate-like portion 11 of the flap 5 against the first rib 17. Therefore, the flap 5 can be accurately positioned with respect to the gripping device 100.

[0043] Thereafter, by driving a robot arm (not shown), while maintaining the above-described gripping state, the gripping device 100 is lifted to separate the four flaps 5 from the flap supply table 200 and move them onto the third opening 3c of the frame 3 as shown in FIG. 4. Then, by driving a robot arm (not shown), the four flaps 5 are tilted to press the first rotating shaft portion 9a against the first bearing wall portion (not shown). In this state, the second rotating shaft portion 9b is brought closer to the second bearing wall portion 3d, the first rotating shaft portion 9a is inserted into the shaft hole, the link shaft portion 10 is inserted into the insertion hole of the link member, and the second rotating shaft portion 9b is fitted to the second bearing wall portion 3d.

[0044] Note that the flaps 5 in the first and second openings 3a, 3b can also be assembled in a similar manner to the corresponding openings 3a, 3b by using the corresponding gripping devices.

[0045] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, since the first rib 17 serves not only as a positioning role for the gripping device 100 but also as a role of reinforcing the plate-like portion 11, the rigidity of the flap 5 can be increased. Therefore, the flap 5 can be made less likely to be damaged by the wind from the air intake port.

[0046] In addition, since the concave portions 13 that are recessed on the surface side are formed in the region excluding both end portions in the width direction of the plate-like portion 11, the appearance when the flap 5 can be visually recognized from the air intake port can be improved. Further, since the first rib 17 and the second rib 19 are formed on the back surface of the flap main body portion 7 and the surface of the flap main body portion 7 is made into a smooth shape, the appearance when the flap 5 can be visually recognized from the air intake port can be improved.

[0047] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 of the second embodiment, FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the width in the short direction of the flap main body portion 7 of each flap 5 is shorter than that in the first embodiment. Also, the vertical interval between the shaft holes of the frame 3 and the vertical interval between the second bearing wall portions 3d are also shorter. And two sets of gripping tool pairs 140 corresponding to the first ribs 17 that grip adjacent flaps 5 and have the same positions in the flaps 5 are arranged at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the flaps 5. Further, the positioning portions 142c of the two sets of gripping tool pairs 140 corresponding to the first ribs 17 that grip adjacent flaps 5 and have the same positions in the flaps 5 abut on the partition regions 15a, 15c where the positions in the flaps 5 are different from each other in the above gripping state. Specifically, the positioning portions 142c of the second gripping tools 142 of the rightmost and the third gripping tool pairs 140 from the right in FIG. 8 abut on the outermost partition region 15a in the longitudinal direction among the partition regions 15a to 15c surrounded by the left first rib 17 in FIG. 9. Also, the second and fourth gripping tool pairs 140 from the right in FIG. 8 abut on the innermost partition region 15c in the longitudinal direction among the partition regions 15a to 15c surrounded by the left first rib 17 in FIG. 9.

[0048] Further, instead of the second and fourth recesses 112b and 112d from the right side in FIG. 5, insertion holes 112e and 112f that are not open to the outside in the longitudinal direction of the base main body 111 are formed. Note that the insertion hole 112f is open to one side in the short direction of the base main body 111. The second gripper 142 is inserted through these insertion holes 112e and 112f.

[0049] The configurations of the other flap 5 and the gripping device 100, and the method of assembling the flap 5 to the frame 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent parts and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0050] Thus, according to the second embodiment, two pairs of gripper pairs 140 that grip adjacent flaps 5 and correspond to the first ribs 17 at the same positions in the flaps 5 are arranged at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the flaps 5. Therefore, even when the interval between adjacent flaps 5 is short and the two pairs of gripper pairs 140 that grip adjacent flaps 5 cannot be arranged at the same positions in the longitudinal direction of the flaps 5, the gripping device 100 can grip adjacent flaps 5 simultaneously.

[0051] Further, in a state where a plurality of flaps 5 are supported by the flap supply table 200, the interval between adjacent flaps 5 can be shortened, so the flap supply table 200 can be miniaturized. Also, when storing the flaps 5 before assembling them to the frame 3 in a state where a plurality of flaps 5 are supported by the flap supply table 200, the storage space for the flaps 5 can be reduced.

[0052] (Embodiment 3) Figures 11 to 14 show the flaps 5a and 5b according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Figure 11 shows the drive flap 5a and the driven flap 5b, and Figures 12 to 14 show the driven flap 5b. In Embodiment 3, as shown in Figures 15 to 20, the frame 3 has a main wall portion 21 with the plate surface facing in the vehicle front-rear direction. On the outer peripheral edges on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the main wall portion 21, outer peripheral wall portions 23 (see Figures 16 and 19) that gradually incline outward in the vehicle width direction toward the back side are integrally projected. As shown in Figures 15, 17, and 18, on the inner edges in the vehicle width direction of the first to third openings 3a to 3c of the main wall portion 21, a first bearing wall portion 25 with the plate surface facing in the vehicle width direction is integrally projected toward the back side (vehicle rear side). A plurality of shaft holes 25a are formed at intervals in the vertical direction in the first bearing wall portion 25. On the outer peripheral edges of each shaft hole 25a except for the second shaft hole 25a from the top in the first bearing wall portion 25 of the third opening 3c, U-shaped notch recesses 25b are formed so as to be recessed toward the front side (vehicle front side). On the peripheral edge portions on the vehicle rear side of each shaft hole 25a, receiving portions 27 that are substantially V-shaped in plan view are integrally projected so as to open toward the front side (vehicle front side). As shown in Figures 16, 19, and 20, on the outer edges in the vehicle width direction of the first to third openings 3a to 3c of the main wall portion 21, protruding wall portions 29 are integrally projected toward the back side. On the protruding wall portion 29, a plurality of curved wall portions 31 with a semicircular arc-shaped cross section that open toward the front side are integrally projected at intervals in the vertical direction toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Further, the front end portions on the front side of these curved wall portions 31 are connected by a connecting wall portion 33 (see Figure 20) with the plate surface facing in the vehicle front-rear direction. The second bearing wall portion 3d is integrally connected to the tip ends of these curved wall portions 31 and the inner ends in the vehicle width direction of the curved wall portions 31 with the plate surface facing in the vehicle width direction. On the front edge (front side) of the vehicle of the second bearing wall portion 3d, a plurality of U-shaped notch portions 35 that open toward the vehicle front side are formed so as to face the inner spaces of the respective curved wall portions 31.

[0053] Further, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the flap main body portion 7 has a substantially flat first long plate portion 37 extending in the rotation axis X direction. In the middle of the width direction of the first long plate portion 37, a second long plate portion 41 as a plate-shaped portion is integrally extended over the entire longitudinal direction so as to form a groove portion 39 that opens to one side in the width direction of the first long plate portion 37 between the first long plate portion 37. The second long plate portion 41 protrudes in the groove portion 39 opening direction from the first long plate portion 37. A thick portion 43 that is thicker than other portions of the first long plate portion 37 and the second long plate portion 41 is formed at the base end portion of the second long plate portion 41 and the extending portion of the second long plate portion 41 in the first long plate portion 37. The base end portion of the second long plate portion 41 constitutes an inclined portion 41a that inclines in a direction gradually separating from the first long plate portion 37 in the thickness direction of the first long plate portion 37 toward the groove portion 39 opening direction with a substantially constant thickness. Therefore, the surface on the side opposite to the groove portion 39 at the base end portion of the second long plate portion 41 constitutes an inclined surface 41b that gradually separates from the first long plate portion 37 in the thickness direction of the first long plate portion 37 toward the groove portion 39 opening direction. The portion on the tip side of the second long plate portion 41 from the inclined portion 41a constitutes a non-inclined portion 41c that extends substantially parallel to the first long plate portion 37 with a substantially constant thickness. The entire non-inclined portion 41c protrudes in the groove portion 39 opening direction from the first long plate portion 37 in the second long plate portion 41. And the surface on the groove portion 39 side of the non-inclined portion 41c constitutes a flat region 15. On the surface of the second long plate portion 41 on the groove portion 39 side, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 45 as plate-shaped first ribs with the plate surface facing the longitudinal direction of the second long plate portion 41 are integrally protruded at intervals in the rotation axis X direction over the range from the base end portion of the second long plate portion 41 to the middle portion in the protruding direction of the non-inclined portion 41c in the second long plate portion 41. These plurality of reinforcing ribs 45 are integrally connected to the first long plate portion 37. The reinforcing rib 45 has a protruding portion 45a having a substantially triangular cross section protruding outside the groove portion 39. The end surface 45b on the groove portion 39 opening side of the protruding portion 45a is continuously connected without a step between the tip of the first long plate portion 37 and the middle portion in the protruding direction of the non-inclined portion 41c of the second long plate portion 41. The protruding portion 45a of the reinforcing rib 45 sandwiches a part of the flat region 15 from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the second long plate portion 41.

[0054] Further, the first and second rotary shaft portions 9a and 9b project from the thick portion 43 of the flap main body portion 7. The rotation axis X of the flaps 5a and 5b is located in the thick portion 43. Further, plate-like projecting portions 47 with their plate surfaces facing the vehicle width direction are integrally formed to project from both end portions of the flap main body portion 7 in the vehicle width direction. The link shaft portion 10 projects from the outer peripheral end portion of the projecting portion 47 of the flaps 5a and 5b. A stopper portion 49 projects integrally from the flap main body portion 7 toward the outside in the rotation axis X direction of the flap main body portion 7, substantially 180 degrees opposite to the link shaft portion 10 in the projecting portion 47 of the drive flap 5a. This stopper portion 49 is connected to the first rotary shaft portion 9a. A pair of retaining protrusions 50 project in directions 180 degrees opposite to each other from the tip of the second rotary shaft portion 9b. Further, a gate trace (not shown) is formed on the tip surface of the second rotary shaft portion 9b.

[0055] The driven flap 5b is not provided with a stopper portion 49. Further, the first rotary shaft portion 9a is formed thinner and shorter than the drive flap 5a. Further, an engaging piece portion 51 projects from a part of the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the first rotary shaft portion 9a of the driven flap 5b. The configuration of the other driven flap 5b is the same as that of the drive flap 5a.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the first rotary shaft portion 9a of the driven flap 5b is inserted into the shaft hole 25a of the first bearing wall portion 25 of the frame 3. The engaging piece portion 51 of the driven flap 5b is located on the side opposite to the first to third openings 3a to 3c of the first bearing wall portion 25 and restricts the removal of the first rotary shaft portion 9a from the shaft hole 25a. Although not shown, the first rotary shaft portion 9a of the drive flap 5a is also inserted into the shaft hole 25a of the first bearing wall portion 25 of the frame 3. In FIGS. 15, 17, and 18, reference numeral 53 denotes a link member, and 53a denotes an insertion hole.

[0057] Further, although FIGS. 19 and 20 show only the configuration around the driven flap 5b, the second rotating shaft portions 9b of the driving flap 5a and the driven flap 5b are fitted into the notch portions 35 of the second bearing wall portions 3d of the frame 3, and their tip ends project into the inner space of the curved wall portions 31. A plurality of curved wall portions 31 and connecting wall portions 33 are covered from the front side by the shielding member 4. In this state, the retaining protrusions 50 of the flaps 5a and 5b are located outside the vehicle width direction from the second bearing wall portion 3d to restrict the removal from the notch portion 35 of the second rotating shaft portion 9b.

[0058] In the open state of the first to third openings 3a to 3c of the frame 3, the groove portions 39 of the flaps 5a and 5b are located above the first long plate portion 37 and open rearward of the vehicle. On the other hand, in the closed state of the first to third openings 3a to 3c of the frame 3, the groove portions 39 of the flaps 5a and 5b are located rearward of the vehicle of the first long plate portion 37 and open downward.

[0059] Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the concave portion 141a of the first gripper 141 of the gripping device 100 is formed so as to correspond to the surface of the second long plate portion 41 of the flaps 5a and 5b on the side opposite to the counter groove portion 39. In the gripping state, the concave portion 141a of the first gripper 141 fits into and abuts against the surface of the second long plate portion 41 of the flaps 5a and 5b on the side opposite to the counter groove portion 39. In the gripping state, the positioning portion 142c of the second gripper 142 abuts against the flat region 15 sandwiched between the protruding portions 45a of a pair of adjacent reinforcing ribs 45 near the end of the second long plate portion 41. In the gripping state, the positioning portion 142c of the second gripper 142 abuts against the protruding portions 45a of a pair of adjacent reinforcing ribs 45 near the end of the second long plate portion 41 from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the second long plate portion 41 in an opposing manner. The contact region of the positioning portion 142c in the flap main body portion 7 is shown by hatching in FIG. 13.

[0060] And to assemble the flaps 5a and 5b to the frame 3, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in the above gripping state, the flaps 5a and 5b are tilted, and the end portions on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the flaps 5a and 5b are inserted into the first to third openings 3a to 3c from the front side of the frame 3. While making the first rotation shaft portion 9a of the flaps 5a and 5b contact the first bearing wall portion 25, it is moved to the back side and made to contact the surface on the open side of the receiving portion 27. Then, from this state, while approaching the second rotation shaft portion 9b of the flaps 5a and 5b to the second bearing wall portion 3d of the frame 3 from the front side, the first rotation shaft portion 9a of the flaps 5a and 5b is slid and inserted into the shaft hole 25a of the first bearing wall portion 25 of the frame 3, and the link shaft portion 10 of the flaps 5a and 5b is inserted into the insertion hole 53a of the link member 53. At this time, the engaging piece portion 51 of the driven flap 5b passes through the notch recess 25b.

[0061] Then, the second rotation shaft portion 9b of the flaps 5a and 5b is inserted into the notch portion 35 of the second bearing wall portion 3d from the front side (the open side of the notch portion 35) and fitted. Thereby, the retaining projection 25c of the flaps 5a and 5b is accommodated in the inner space of the curved wall portion 31.

[0062] After that, the shielding member 4 is attached to the frame 3 so as to cover the plurality of curved wall portions 31 and the connecting wall portion 33 from the front side. Thereby, the notch portion 35 of the second bearing wall portion 3d is blocked by the shielding member 4, and the second rotation shaft portion 9b is prevented from coming out of the notch portion 35 of the second bearing wall portion 3d.

[0063] The configurations of the other flaps 5a and 5b and the gripping device 100, and the method of assembling the flaps 5a and 5b to the frame 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent parts and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0064] Therefore, according to the third embodiment, since a part of the flap main body portion 7 has a double structure of the first long plate portion 37 and the second long plate portion 41, the rigidity of the entire flap main body portion 7 can be increased as compared with the case where the flap main body portion 7 is constituted by a single plate portion.

[0065] In addition, since the first long plate portion 21a and the second long plate portion 21b are reinforced by the reinforcing rib 21e, the rigidity of the flap main body portion 21 can be further enhanced.

[0066] Further, since the second rotating shaft portion 9b having the gate trace projects from the thick portion 43, the thick portion 43 can quickly spread the resin in the longitudinal direction of the flaps 5a and 5b, making it easy to evenly distribute the resin filling degree and the cooling and hardening of the resin in the longitudinal direction of the flaps 5a and 5b, reducing the shrinkage difference of the resin in the longitudinal direction, and suppressing the molding deformation of the flaps 5a and 5b. Furthermore, by starting the filling of the resin into the thick portion 43 earlier than the both ends in the width direction of the first long plate portion 37 and the tips of the second long plate portion 41, the shrinkage difference between the resin constituting the both ends in the width direction of the first long plate portion 37 and the second long plate portion 41 and the resin constituting the thick portion 43 can be reduced, and the molding deformation of the flaps 5a and 5b can be suppressed.

[0067] In the above Embodiments 1 and 2, each first rib 17 was integrally formed so as to surround the partition regions 15a to 15c over the entire circumference. However, if the first rib 17 sandwiches the partition regions 15a to 15c from both sides in the longitudinal direction, a cut may be provided in the first rib 17. In that case, it is sufficient if the second rib 19 is continuous with a part of the first rib 17.

[0068] In the above Embodiments 1 to 3, the first gripper 141 was fixed to the base main body portion 111, and the second gripper 142 was brought into contact with and separated from the first gripper 141 by the drive of the actuator 120. However, conversely, the second gripper 142 may be fixed to the base main body portion 111, and the first gripper 141 may be brought into contact with and separated from the second gripper 142 by the drive of the actuator 120.

[0069] In addition, in the above Embodiments 1 to 3, the concave portion 141a was provided in the first gripper 141 so that a part of the flap 5 is fitted. However, since the positioning state of the flap 5 is maintained by the second gripper 142, if the first gripper 141 abuts on the flap 5 within at least the range facing the positioning portion 142c of the second gripper 142, the concave portion 141a may not be provided in the first gripper 141.

[0070] Also, regarding the plurality of regions sandwiched by the reinforcing ribs 45 of the flaps 5a and 5b in Embodiment 3, considering them as a plurality of partition regions, similar to Embodiment 2, the partition region where the positioning portion 142c of the gripper pair 140 that grips one of the adjacent flaps 5a and 5b abuts, and the partition region where the positioning portion 142c of the gripper pair 140 that grips the other flap 5a and 5b abuts may be made different from each other.

Industrial Applicability

[0071] The present invention is useful as a flap for a grill shutter including a long main body portion and shaft portions coaxially protruding on both longitudinal sides of the long main body portion, and a gripping device for gripping the same.

Explanation of Signs

[0072] 1 Grill shutter 5, 5a, 5b Flaps 7 Flap main body portion 9a First rotating shaft portion 9b Second rotating shaft portion 11 Plate - shaped portion 15 Flat region 15a - 15c Partition regions 17 First rib 19 Second rib 41 Second long plate portion (plate - shaped portion) 45 Reinforcing rib (first rib) 100 Gripping device 140 Gripper pair 141 First gripper 142 Second gripper 142c Positioning portion

Claims

1. A flap for a grill shutter, comprising an elongated main body (7) and a pair of shafts (9a, 9b) coaxially protruding from both sides of the main body (7) in the longitudinal direction, The main body portion (7) has a plate-shaped portion (11, 41) having a substantially long plate shape, and a flat area (15) is formed on one surface of the plate-shaped portion (11, 41), and a first rib (17, 45) is protruded from the main body portion (7) and sandwiches at least a portion of the flat area (15) from both longitudinal sides of the plate-shaped portion (11, 41).

2. The grill shutter flap according to claim 1, The flat region (15) is formed at least in the vicinity of both longitudinal ends of the one surface of the plate-like portion (11), A flap for a grill shutter, characterized in that the first rib (17) is formed so as to sandwich a plurality of partition areas (15a to 15c) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped portion (11) in the flat area (15) formed near both longitudinal ends of the plate-shaped portion (11), from both longitudinal sides of the plate-shaped portion (11).

3. The grill shutter flap according to claim 2, A flap for a grill shutter, characterized in that a mesh-like second rib (19) continuous with the first rib (17) protrudes from the outer periphery of the area sandwiched between the first ribs (17) on the one surface of the plate-shaped portion (11).

4. A gripping device that is attached to a tip of a robot arm and grips the grill shutter flap according to claim 1, a pair of grippers (140) including a first gripper (141) and a second gripper (142) having a protruding positioning portion (142c); a gripping device characterized in that, in a gripping state in which the flap (5) is gripped, the first gripping tool (141) abuts against the other surface of the plate-shaped portion (11), while the positioning portion (142c) of the second gripping tool (142) abuts against the flat region (15) sandwiched between the first ribs (17, 45) from both longitudinal sides, and faces the first ribs (17, 45) from both longitudinal sides of the plate-shaped portion (11), thereby restricting movement of the flap (5, 5a, 5b) in the thickness direction and longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped portion (11, 41) relative to the gripping device (100).

5. The gripping device according to claim 4, A plurality of the gripping tool pairs (140) are provided, The gripping device is characterized in that the plurality of gripping tool pairs (140) are arranged to grip the plurality of flaps (5, 5a, 5b) in parallel with each other.

6. The gripping device according to claim 5, the first ribs (17, 45) are formed so as to sandwich each of the plurality of partitioned regions (15a-15c) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped portion (11, 41) in the flat region (15) from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped portion (11, 41); one gripper (141) of each gripper pair (140) is fixed to a tip of the robot arm, while the other gripper (142) of each gripper pair (140) is provided so as to be movable toward and away from the one gripper (141); The gripping device is characterized in that in the gripping state, the positioning portion (142c) of each gripping tool pair (140) abuts against one of the partitioned areas (15a to 15c), and the partitioned area (15a to 15c) against which the positioning portion (142c) of the gripping tool pair (140) gripping one flap (5, 5a, 5b) of two adjacent flaps (5, 5a, 5b) abuts is different from the partitioned area (15a to 15c) against which the positioning portion (142c) of the gripping tool pair (140) gripping the other flap (5, 5a, 5b) abuts.

7. A method for gripping a flap for a grill shutter according to claim 1 by means of the gripping device according to claim 4.

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