Grille shutter

Abstract

To provide a grille shutter which enables flaps to be easily assembled to a frame.SOLUTION: A grill shutter (10) includes a frame (10) in which an opening (12) forming a ventilation passage is formed; and flaps (70) disposed in the opening of the frame. The flap is rotatably supported by the frame and opens or closes the opening. Rotary shaft parts (75) are respectively provided at both ends of the flap. A center wall part (16) facing the opening of the frame is provided with: a rotary shaft hole (18) into which one of the rotary shaft parts in the flap is inserted; and a receiving part (22) which protrudes from a peripheral edge of the rotary shaft hole to the inner side of the opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a grill shutter.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to improve the fuel efficiency performance of a vehicle, etc., it is known to provide a grill shutter that opens and closes a ventilation passage for introducing air from the front of the vehicle into the interior at the front of the vehicle. The grill shutter is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] The grill shutter of Patent Document 1 includes a frame, a detachable block, and a flap. A column extending in the vertical direction is provided at the central portion of the frame in the vehicle width direction so as to connect the upper wall and the lower wall. The detachable block is attached to the outer portion of the frame in the vehicle width direction. Shaft holes are formed on the opposing side surfaces of the column and the detachable block. The flap is rotatably attached to the frame so that the frame opening can be opened and closed by inserting shaft portions provided at both ends thereof into the shaft holes of the column and the detachable block.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When manufacturing a grill shutter as disclosed in Patent Document 1, inserting the shaft portion of the flap into the shaft hole of the frame requires accurately aligning the positions of those shaft holes and shaft portions, which is not easy. Such an assembly operation of the flap to the frame becomes more difficult when performing automatic assembly by a robot.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a grille shutter that can be easily assembled to a frame with respect to a flap.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, in the technology of the present disclosure, a receiving portion for receiving a shaft portion of a flap is provided at a peripheral edge of a shaft hole of a frame.

[0008] Specifically, a first aspect of the present disclosure targets a grille shutter. The grille shutter according to the first aspect includes a frame in which an opening forming a ventilation passage is formed, and a flap disposed in the opening of the frame. The flap is rotatably supported by the frame and opens and closes the opening. Rotating shaft portions serving as rotation centers of the flap are provided at both ends of the flap, respectively. A rotation shaft hole into which one of the rotation shaft portions of the flap is inserted and a receiving portion protruding inward from the opening from the peripheral edge of the rotation shaft hole are provided in a wall portion facing the inside of the opening of the frame.

[0009] A second aspect of the present disclosure is the grille shutter according to the first aspect, wherein the receiving portion is located on the downstream side of the rotation shaft hole in the flow direction of air passing through the opening.

[0010] A third aspect of the present disclosure is the grille shutter according to the second aspect, wherein guide portions extending in a direction in which positions passing through the rotation shaft hole from both ends of the receiving portion in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft hole are separated from each other are provided on a wall portion facing the inside of the opening of the frame.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a grill shutter according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which a plurality of the flaps are arranged in one direction such that their rotation axes are parallel to each other. The grill shutter according to the fourth aspect further includes a link member that interlocks the plurality of the flaps. The link member is swingably supported at one end of the flap provided with the rotation shaft portion. A link shaft portion that forms a swing center of the ring member is provided on one of one end of the flap and the link member, and a link shaft hole into which the link shaft portion is inserted is formed on the other, and a tip portion of the link shaft portion is formed in a tapered shape.

[0012] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a grill shutter according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which a fitting groove into which the rotation shaft portion provided at the other end of the flap is fitted is formed in a portion of a wall portion facing the rotation shaft hole in the opening of the frame. The grill shutter according to the fifth aspect further includes a frame cover that closes an opening side of the fitting groove.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the first aspect, a receiving portion is provided together with a rotation shaft hole in a wall portion facing the opening of the frame. The receiving portion projects inward from the periphery of the rotation shaft hole toward the opening. When assembling the flap to the frame in the manufacture of the grill shutter, by aligning one rotation shaft portion with the receiving portion, the rotation shaft portion can be accurately aligned with the rotation shaft hole. Thereby, the flap can be easily assembled to the frame.

[0014] According to the second aspect, the receiving portion is located on the downstream side of the rotation shaft hole in the air flow direction passing through the opening of the frame. Thus, when a wind pressure acts on the flap in the fully closed position closing the opening of the frame, the length of the portion of the frame receiving the force applied from the rotation shaft portion is extended by the provision of the receiving portion. Thereby, the support rigidity of the rotation shaft portion in the frame can be enhanced.

[0015] According to the third aspect, a guide portion is provided on a wall portion facing the opening of the frame together with a receiving portion. The guide portion extends in a direction away from each other at positions passing through the rotation shaft hole from both ends of the receiving portion in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft hole. When assembling the flap to the frame in the manufacture of the grill shutter, one rotation shaft portion is guided to the receiving portion by the guide portion. Thereby, the rotation shaft portion can be easily aligned with the receiving portion.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect, the tip portion of the link shaft portion provided on one of the one end of the flap and the link member is inserted into the link shaft hole formed on the other. The tip portion of the link shaft portion is formed in a tapered shape. Thereby, it becomes easier to insert the link shaft portion into the link hole. And when assembling the flap to the frame, by inserting the link shaft portion into the link shaft hole together with inserting the rotation shaft portion into the shaft hole, the connection with the link member can be easily established.

[0017] According to the fifth aspect, the other rotation shaft portion that is not inserted into the rotation shaft hole is fitted into a fitting groove formed in a portion of the wall portion facing the rotation shaft hole within the opening of the frame. The opening of the fitting groove is closed by a frame cover. This frame cover prevents the rotation shaft portion from coming out of the fitting groove. When assembling the flap to the frame in the manufacture of the grill shutter, the flap is tilted obliquely with respect to the assembled posture, and while aligning one rotation shaft portion with the receiving portion and inserting it into the rotation shaft hole, the flap is tilted back to match the assembled posture, and the other rotation shaft portion is fitted into the fitting groove, whereby the flap can be easily assembled to the frame.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Figure 9C

Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions are described based on the automobile on which the grill shutter is mounted. Also, in the drawings, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified for easy understanding of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0020] "Embodiment" The grille shutter 1 of this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is disposed at the front part of an automobile (not shown). A grille opening that communicates the engine room and the external space of the automobile is provided in the front grille of the automobile. The grille shutter 1 is provided for the grille opening and is located in front of the radiator.

[0021] The grille shutter 1 is an aerodynamic control device that controls the flow rate of air flowing into the engine room through the grille opening. For example, when the temperature of the engine is high, the grille shutter 1 is opened to cool the radiator by the air taken into the engine room, while when the temperature of the engine is low, the grille shutter 1 is closed to reduce the air resistance by letting the air escape under the floor. The opening and closing operation of the grille shutter 1 is electrically performed using the actuator 60.

[0022] -Configuration of Grille Shutter- The grille shutter 1 has a plurality of shutter parts 3. The grille shutter 1 of this example has a lower left shutter part 3A located on the lower left side, a lower right shutter part 3B located on the lower right side, a middle left shutter part 3C located on the left side in the middle of the upper and lower parts, a middle right shutter part 3D located on the right side in the middle of the upper and lower parts, an upper left shutter part 3E located on the upper left side, and an upper right shutter part 3F located on the upper right side.

[0023] The lower left shutter part 3A and the lower right shutter part 3B, the middle left shutter part 3C and the middle right shutter part 3D, and the upper left shutter part 3E and the upper right shutter part 3F are each configured to be symmetric with respect to the center pillar part 14. Each of the shutter parts 3 in the lower, middle, and upper parts has generally the same configuration, although there are differences such as size, the number of flaps 70, and the presence or absence of the drive flap 70B.

[0024] Hereinafter, the main parts of the grille shutter 1 will be described with reference to the illustration of the lower left shutter part 3A.

[0025] The grill shutter 1 includes, as components, a frame 10, a link member 50, an actuator 60, a plurality of flaps 70, and a plurality of frame covers 90.

[0026] <Frame> The frame 10 is a box-shaped object that presents a substantially rectangular shape in a front view and has a concave shape that is open to the rear. A plurality of openings 12 forming ventilation passages are formed in the frame 10. Each opening 12 is provided at a position corresponding to the shutter portion 3.

[0027] A center pillar portion 14 is provided between two openings 12 arranged in the left-right direction in the frame 10. On the side opposite to the center pillar portion 14 of each opening 12 in the frame 10, that is, on the outside of each opening 12 in the left-right direction, an outside portion 36 is provided. Structures for assembling the flaps 70 are provided on these center pillar portions 14 and outside portions 36.

[0028] Both side surfaces of the center pillar portion 14 constitute center wall portions 16 facing the inside of the opening 12 of the frame 10. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of rotation shaft holes 18 are formed in this center wall portion 16.

[0029] The rotation shaft holes 18 penetrate the center wall portion 16 in the left-right direction. The rotation shaft holes 18 are holes into which the rotation shaft portions 76 of the flaps 70 are inserted, and are provided in the same number as the number of flaps 70 arranged in the shutter portion 3. The plurality of rotation shaft holes 18 are provided at substantially equal intervals in the vertical direction. One of the plurality of rotation shaft holes 18 provided in the center wall portion 16 facing the inside of each lower opening 12 constitutes a circular drive shaft hole 20. The drive shaft hole 20 in this example is the uppermost rotation shaft hole 18.

[0030] The other rotation shaft holes 18 are formed in a keyhole shape in which a part of the circular outer peripheral surface is extended into a rectangle. The convex hole portion, which is the extended portion of the rotation shaft hole 18, is provided at a position corresponding to the first retaining projection 80 provided on the rotation shaft portion 76 of the flap 70 in the fully open position. The convex hole portion of the rotation shaft hole 18 in this example is located on the front side with respect to the circular portion of the rotation shaft hole 18.

[0031] The center wall portion 16 is further provided with a plurality of receiving portions 22 and a plurality of guide portions 26.

[0032] The receiving portion 22 is a portion that protrudes inward from the periphery of the rotation shaft hole 18 of the center wall portion 16 toward the opening 12 and serves to receive the rotation shaft portion 76 of the flap 70. The receiving portion 22 is provided for each rotation shaft hole 18. Each receiving portion 22 is located on the downstream side (that is, the rear side with respect to the rotation shaft hole 18) of the rotation shaft hole 18 in the flow direction of the air passing through the opening 12. Each receiving portion 22 has an arc-shaped receiving surface 24 continuous with the inner peripheral surface of the drive shaft hole 20.

[0033] The guide portion 26 is a portion that protrudes from the center wall portion 16 together with the receiving portion 22 and serves to guide the rotation shaft portion 76 to the receiving portion 22 when assembling the flap 70 to the frame 10. The guide portion 26 is provided for the rotation shaft holes 18 other than the drive shaft hole 20. Each guide portion 26 extends in a direction in which positions passing through the rotation shaft hole 18 away from each other from both ends of the receiving portion 22 in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft hole 18 toward the front side, and has a guide surface 28 that forms a substantially V shape together with the receiving portion 22.

[0034] Further, the center wall portion 16 is provided with a front side plate piece 30, a back side plate piece 32, and a connecting rib 34.

[0035] The front side plate piece 30 has a portion protruding inward from the front side portion of the center wall portion 16 toward the inside of the opening 12, and constitutes a part of the front side edge portion of the opening 12. The back side plate piece 32 is a portion protruding inward from the back side portion of the center wall portion 16 toward the inside of the opening 12, and constitutes a part of the back side edge portion of the opening 12. These front side plate piece 30 and back side plate piece 32 play a role of closing the gap formed between each flap 70 forming the shutter portion 3 and the center wall portion 16.

[0036] The connecting ribs 34 are provided on both the upper and lower sides of each receiving portion 22 and on one side (the upper side in the example shown in FIG. 3) in the vertical direction with respect to the drive shaft hole 20, respectively. The connecting ribs 34 extend in the front-rear direction and connect the front side plate piece 30 and the back side plate piece 32. Each receiving portion 22 is integrally formed with the back side plate piece 32. Each end portion on the front side of the guide portion 26 is connected to the connecting rib 34. That is, the connecting rib 34 and the receiving portion 22 (back side plate piece 32) are connected via the guide portion 26.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the inner side surfaces in the left-right direction of the outside portion 36 constitute side wall portions 38 facing the inside of the opening 12 of the frame 10. Fitting grooves 40 are formed in portions of the side wall portion 38 facing the respective rotation shaft holes 18. The number of fitting grooves 40 provided is the same as the number of rotation shaft holes 18 formed in the center pillar portion 14 of the corresponding opening 12.

[0038] As also shown in FIG. 8, the fitting grooves 40 open to the front side and penetrate and open inward of the opening 12 of the frame 10. The fitting grooves 40 are grooves into which the rotation shaft portions 78 of the flaps 70 are fitted, and the number of fitting grooves 40 provided is the same as the number of flaps 70 included in the shutter portion 3. The plurality of fitting grooves 40 are provided at substantially equal intervals in the vertical direction. Protruding pieces 42 protruding inward of the corresponding fitting grooves 40 are provided on the inner surfaces at the open ends of the fitting grooves 40. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, rectangular fitting holes into which claw pieces (not shown) of the frame cover 90 are fitted are formed on both the upper and lower sides of the outside portion 36.

[0039] The frame 10 is formed by a normal method such as injection molding. The frame 10 in this example is made of a synthetic resin. The material of the frame 10 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include fiber-reinforced resins such as polypropylene with glass fiber (PP-GF).

[0040] <Link member> As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B with cross-hatching, the link member 50 is a plate-like member extending in the vertical direction. The upper end side portion of the link member 50 branches left and right corresponding to the upper shutter portion 3. Thus, the link member 50 has a Y-shaped configuration as a whole. The link member 50 connects a plurality of flaps 70 included in all the shutter portions 3.

[0041] The link member 70 is swingably supported at one end of the plurality of flaps 70 to interlock the plurality of flaps 70. Due to the behavior of this link member 50, all the flaps 70 take the same rotational posture with respect to each other. A plurality of link shaft holes 52 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are respectively formed in both side wall portions of the link member 50 in the left-right direction. The link shaft hole 52 is a hole into which the link shaft portion 84 of the flap 70 is inserted.

[0042] The left side wall portion of the link member 50 is provided with the same number of link shaft holes 52 as the number of flaps 70 included in each shutter portion 3 located on the left side of the link member 50 in a rear view. The right side wall portion of the link member 50 is provided with the same number of link shaft holes 52 as the number of flaps 70 included in each shutter portion 3 located on the right side of the link member 50 in a rear view. The formation positions of the link shaft holes 52 are set at substantially equal intervals in the vertical direction corresponding to the installation positions of the flaps 70.

[0043] The link member 50 is formed by a normal method such as injection molding. The link member 50 in this example is made of a synthetic resin. The material of the link member 50 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include fiber-reinforced resins such as polyamide with glass fiber (PA-GF) and polypropylene with glass fiber (PP-GF).

[0044] <Actuator> The actuator 60 is responsible for rotating the drive shaft portion 76 of the drive flap 70B. As shown in FIG. 1, the actuator 60 is attached to the back side of the center pillar portion 14 between the two shutter portions 3 in the lower stage. The actuator 60 is positioned between a pair of left and right center wall portions 16 and is disposed between the front side portion of the center pillar portion 14 and the link member 50.

[0045] The actuator 60 has a shaft portion connection hole 62 shown in FIG. 3. The shaft portion connection hole 62 corresponds to the drive shaft hole 20 and receives the drive shaft portion 76 of the flap 70. An internal tooth shape is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion connection hole 62. The actuator 60 is connected to a control device (not shown). The actuator 60 adjusts the rotation angle of the drive shaft portion 76 and thus the posture of the drive flap 70B based on an instruction from the control device.

[0046] <Flap> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a plurality of flaps 70 are arranged in each opening 12 of the frame 10 and are responsible for adjusting the opening degree of the opening 12. The plurality of flaps 70 arranged in each opening 12 constitute the shutter portion 3. Each flap 70 is rotatably supported by the frame 10 and opens and closes the opening 12 of the frame 10. The plurality of flaps 70 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction so that their rotation axes RA face each other in the left - right direction and are parallel.

[0047] The flaps 70 include a driven flap 70A and a drive flap 70B.

[0048] All of the plurality of flaps 70 forming the shutter portion 3C on the left side in the middle stage, the shutter portion 3D on the right side in the middle stage, the shutter portion 3E on the left side in the upper stage, and the shutter portion 3F on the right side in the upper stage are driven flaps 70A. The plurality of flaps 70 forming the shutter portion 3A on the left side in the lower stage and the shutter portion 3B on the right side in the lower stage include the drive flap 70B in addition to the driven flap 70A. The drive flap 70B constitutes the uppermost flap 70 forming each of the lower - stage shutter portions 3A, 3B.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the driven flap 70A includes a flap main body 72, a pair of rotation shaft portions 76 and 78, and a link shaft portion 84. Hereinafter, regarding the configuration of the driven flap 70A, an "a" is added to the reference numerals to distinguish it from the configuration of the driving flap 70B. This also applies to the reinforcing rib 74 and the second retaining protrusion 82.

[0050] The flap main body 72a is formed in a horizontally long rectangular plate shape. The flap main body 72a is a portion that substantially adjusts the opening area of the opening 12 of the frame 10. When each shutter portion 3 is in the fully closed state, air pressure acts on the flap main body 72a due to the air flow from the front accompanying the running of the vehicle. On the back surface of the flap main body 72a, a lattice-shaped reinforcing rib 74a is provided substantially over the entire area to increase the strength of the flap main body 72a.

[0051] The rotation shaft portions 76a and 78a are provided at both ends of the driven flap 70A (strictly speaking, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the flap main body 72a), and form the rotation center of the driven flap 70A. The pair of rotation shaft portions 76a and 78a are each configured as a columnar protrusion protruding outward in the longitudinal direction from the flap main body 72a.

[0052] The pair of rotation shaft portions 76a and 78a are located on one side in the width direction of the driven flap 70A, specifically, closer to the front side of the driven flap 70A in the fully open posture. The pair of rotation shaft portions 76a and 78a are the first rotation shaft portion 76a and the second rotation shaft portion 78a. The first rotation shaft portion 76a is located at one end on the center pillar portion 14 side of the driven flap 70A. The second rotation shaft portion 78a is located at the other end on the outside portion 36 side of the driven flap 70A.

[0053] The first rotating shaft portion 76a is inserted into the corresponding rotating shaft hole 18 of the center pillar portion 14. Then, by means of this first rotating shaft portion 76a, the driven flap 70A is rotatably supported by the center pillar portion 14. On the outer peripheral surface of the tip-side portion of the first rotating shaft portion 76a, a first retaining protrusion 80 is provided. The first retaining protrusion 80 protrudes outward in the radial direction of the first rotating shaft portion 76a.

[0054] The first retaining protrusion 80 is provided at a position corresponding to the convex hole portion of the drive shaft hole 20 when the driven flap 70A is in the fully open position. The first retaining protrusion 80 of this example is located on the front side of the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating shaft portion 76a. The first retaining protrusion 80 catches on a portion of the drive shaft hole 20 excluding the convex hole portion at the periphery, and functions as a retaining means for the first rotating shaft portion 76a.

[0055] The second rotating shaft portion 78a is fitted into the corresponding fitting groove 40 of the outside portion 36. By means of this second rotating shaft portion 78a, the driven flap 70A is rotatably supported by the outside portion 36. On the outer peripheral surface of the tip-side portion of the second rotating shaft portion 78a, a second retaining protrusion 82a is provided. The second retaining protrusion 82a protrudes outward in the radial direction of the second rotating shaft portion 78a.

[0056] The second retaining protrusion 82a is provided at a position with a different rotation angle from the first retaining protrusion 80. The second retaining protrusion 82a of this example is located on the back side of the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating shaft portion 78a. The second retaining protrusion 82a catches on the protruding piece 42 and functions as a retaining means for the second rotating shaft portion 78a. A plurality of second retaining protrusions 82a may be provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the second rotating shaft portion 78a.

[0057] The link shaft portion 84a is a portion that forms the swing center of the link member 50 and is provided at one end of the driven flap 70A on the center pillar portion 14 side. The link shaft portion 84a is not provided at the other end of the driven flap 70A on the outside portion 36 side. The link shaft portion 84a is configured as a columnar protrusion that protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction from the flap main body 72a.

[0058] The link shaft portion 84a is located on the back side of the driven flap 70A rather than the drive shaft portion 76a, at a position slightly behind the driven flap in the fully open position rather than the middle in the width direction of the driven flap 70A. The tip portion of the link shaft portion 84a is formed in a tapered shape. The link shaft portion 84a is inserted into the corresponding link shaft hole 52 of the link member 50. By this link shaft portion 84a, the link member 50 is swingably supported by the driven flap 70A.

[0059] The drive flap 70B includes a flap main body 72, a pair of rotation shaft portions 76, 78, and a link shaft portion 84. Hereinafter, regarding the configuration of the drive flap 70B, a reference sign with "b" added is used to distinguish it from the configuration of the driven flap 70A. This also applies to the reinforcing rib 74 and the second retaining protrusion 82.

[0060] The configuration of the flap main body 72b is the same as that of the flap main body 72a of the driven flap 70A. On the back surface of the flap main body 72b, a reinforcing rib 74b similar to the reinforcing rib 74a of the driven flap 70A is provided over substantially the entire area. The rotation shaft portions 76b, 78b are provided at both ends of the drive flap 70B (strictly speaking, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the flap main body 72b), respectively, and form the rotation center of the drive flap 70B.

[0061] The pair of rotation shaft portions 76b, 78b are the first rotation shaft portion 76b and the second rotation shaft portion 78b. The first rotation shaft portion 76b constitutes the drive shaft portion 77. The tip side portion of the drive shaft portion 77 is configured in a gear shape in accordance with the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the drive shaft hole 20. The drive shaft portion 77 is inserted through the corresponding drive shaft hole 20 of the center pillar portion 14 and fitted into the shaft portion connection hole 62 of the actuator 60 through the drive shaft hole 20.

[0062] The structure of the second rotating shaft portion 78b is the same as that of the second rotating shaft portion 78b of the driven flap 70A. On the outer peripheral surface of the tip side portion of the second rotating shaft portion 78b, a second retaining projection 82b is provided. The second retaining projection 82b protrudes outward in the radial direction of the second rotating shaft portion 78b. The second rotating shaft portion 78b is fitted into the corresponding fitting groove 40 of the outside portion 36.

[0063] The structure of the link shaft portion 84b is the same as that of the link shaft portion 84a of the driven flap 70A. The tip portion of the link shaft portion 84b is formed in a tapered shape. The link shaft portion 84b is inserted into the corresponding link shaft hole 52 of the link member 50 in the same manner as the link shaft portion 84a of the driven flap 70A. By this link shaft portion 84b, the link member 50 is swingably supported by the driving flap 70B.

[0064] The flap 70 is formed by a normal method such as injection molding. The flap 70 in this example is made of synthetic resin. The material of the flap 70 is not particularly limited, but examples include fiber-reinforced resins such as polyamide with glass fiber (PA-GF) and polypropylene with glass fiber (PP-GF).

[0065] <Frame cover> The frame cover 90 is a cover member that covers the outside portion 36. The frame cover 90 is provided for each outside portion 36. As shown in FIG. 8, each frame cover 90 closes the opening of the fitting groove 40 of the corresponding outside portion. By doing so, each frame cover 90 prevents the rotating shaft portions 78 of the plurality of flaps 70 from falling off from the outside portion 36. The frame cover 90 is attached to the outside portion 36 by fitting a claw piece (not shown) into the fitting hole 43 formed in the outside portion 36 shown in FIG. 4.

[0066] The frame cover 90 is formed by a normal method such as injection molding. The frame cover 90 in this example is made of synthetic resin. The material of the flap 70 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include fiber-reinforced resins such as polypropylene with glass fiber (PP-GF).

[0067] -Operation of the grille shutter- In the grille shutter 1, the driving of the actuator 60 is controlled by a control device (not shown). By this, a plurality of flaps 70 forming each shutter part 3 rotate, and the postures of these flaps 70 are adjusted. The posture of each flap 70 is switched between a fully closed posture in which the opening 12 is in a fully closed state and a fully open posture in which the opening 12 is in a fully open state.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 6, the fully closed posture is a posture in which the flap body 72 is stood so as to be substantially parallel to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the fully open posture is a posture in which the flap body 72 is laid down so as to be substantially parallel to the front-rear direction and the horizontal direction. The grille shutter 1 performs a closing operation in which each flap 70 is in the fully closed posture and an opening operation in which each flap 70 is in the fully open posture.

[0069] In the closing operation of the grille shutter 1, in the grille shutter 1 in a state where each flap 70 is in the fully open posture, the drive flap 70B rotates +90 degrees by the actuator 60. As a result, the link member 50 connected to the drive flap 70B swings downward as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 2A. Then, each driven flap 70A connected to the link member 50 also rotates +90 degrees. In this way, all the flaps 70 are in the fully closed posture (see FIGS. 1, 2A, and 6).

[0070] In the opening operation of the grill shutter 1, in the grill shutter 1 with each flap 70 in the fully closed position, the drive flap 70B is rotated -90 degrees by the actuator 60. As a result, the link member 50 connected to the drive flap 70B swings upward as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 2B. Then, each driven flap 70A connected to the link member 50 also rotates -90 degrees. In this way, all the flaps 70 are in the fully open position (see FIGS. 2B and 7).

[0071] The posture that each flap 70 can take is not limited to the two rotational postures of the fully closed position and the fully open position, and may be adjusted by the actuator 60 so as to be fixed to an intermediate posture between the fully closed position and the fully open position. The intermediate posture is a posture that narrows the opening area of the opening 12 compared to the fully open state, and may be set in two or more steps. By fixing each flap 70 in an arbitrary intermediate posture, the supply amount of air to the radiator can be finely adjusted.

[0072] - Method of assembling the flap to the frame - In the manufacture of the grill shutter 1, a step of assembling a plurality of flaps 70 to the frame 10 is performed. To assemble the flap 70 to the frame 10, first, the frame 10 and the link member 50 are set in an assembling jig. At this time, the link member 50 is disposed on the back side of the center pillar portion 14 of the frame 10. The setting position of the link member 50 is a position where the link shaft hole 52 corresponds to the link shaft portion 84 in the flap 70 in the fully open position.

[0073] Next, as shown in FIG. 9A, while holding the flap 70 in the fully open position inclined obliquely with respect to the assembling state posture, one end portion of the flap 70 is inserted into the opening 12 from the front of the frame 10. Then, the tip of the first rotation shaft portion 76 in the flap 70 is slid rearward while being in contact with the wall surface of the center pillar portion 14, and is directed to the receiving portion 22 (receiving surface 24). At this time, even if the tip of the first rotation shaft portion 76 is slightly displaced with respect to the receiving portion 22 during the rearward sliding process, it is guided by the guide portion 26 and is directed to the receiving portion 22.

[0074] Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, with the tip of the first rotation shaft portion 76 in the flap 70 directed toward the receiving portion 22, while tilting the flap 70 back to conform to the assembled posture, the first rotation shaft portion 76 is slid into the rotation shaft hole 18 and inserted. At the same time, the link shaft portion 84 of the flap 70 is inserted into the link shaft hole 52 of the link member 50. At this time, even if there is some displacement between the link shaft portion 84 and the link shaft hole 52, it is corrected by the tapered shape of the link shaft portion 84.

[0075] Also, as shown in FIG. 9C, the second rotation shaft portion 78 of the flap 70 is fitted into the fitting groove 40 from the front-side opening. Then, the frame cover 90 is placed over and attached to the outside portion 36 of the frame 10. By doing so, the opening of the fitting groove 40 is closed by the frame cover 90, and the second rotation shaft portion 78 is held in the fitting groove 40 so as not to fall off from the outside portion 36 of the frame 10.

[0076] As described above, the flap 70 can be assembled to the frame 10. The operation of assembling the flap 70 to the frame 10 may be automatically performed by a robot using a gripping tool for gripping the flap 70.

[0077] -Features of the Embodiment- In the grill shutter 1 of this embodiment, the receiving portion 22 is provided together with the rotation shaft hole 18 in the center wall portion 16 facing the inside of the opening 12 of the frame 10. The receiving portion 22 protrudes inward from the periphery of the rotation shaft hole 18 toward the inside of the opening 12. When assembling the flap 70 to the frame 10 in the manufacture of the grill shutter 1, by aligning the first rotation shaft portion 76 with the receiving portion 22, the first rotation shaft portion 76 can be accurately positioned with respect to the rotation shaft hole 18. Thereby, the flap 70 can be easily assembled to the frame 10.

[0078] In the grill shutter 1 of this embodiment, the receiving portion 22 is located on the downstream side of the rotation shaft hole 18 in the flow direction of the air passing through the opening 12 of the frame 10. By this, when the wind pressure acts on the flap 70 in the fully closed position where the opening 12 of the frame 10 is closed, the length of the portion of the frame 10 that receives the force applied from the first rotation shaft portion 76 extends by the amount of the receiving portion 22 provided. Thereby, the support rigidity of the first rotation shaft portion 76 in the frame 10 can be enhanced.

[0079] When the flap 70 in the fully closed position receives the wind pressure, the first rotation shaft portion 76 inclines due to the gap between the first rotation shaft portion 76 and the rotation shaft hole 18. As shown in FIG. 11, if the receiving portion 22 is not provided on the center pillar portion 14, the inclination angle α of the first rotation shaft portion 76 when the wind pressure acts on the flap 70 is relatively large. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the receiving portion 22 is provided on the center pillar portion 14 like the grill shutter 1 of this embodiment, the inclination angle α of the first rotation shaft portion 76 when the wind pressure acts on the flap 70 can be made relatively small. This is advantageous for stably supporting the flap 70 on the frame 10.

[0080] In the grill shutter 1 of this embodiment, a guide portion 26 is provided on the center wall portion 16 facing the inside of the opening 12 of the frame 10 together with the receiving portion 22. The guide portion 26 extends in a direction in which the positions passing through the rotation shaft hole 18 are separated from each other from both ends of the receiving portion 22 in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft hole 18. When assembling the driven flap 70B to the frame 10 in the manufacture of the grill shutter 1, the first rotation shaft portion 76 is guided to the receiving portion 22 by the guide portion 26. Thereby, the first rotation shaft portion 76 can be easily aligned with the receiving portion 22.

[0081] In the grill shutter 1 of this embodiment, the tip portion of the link shaft portion 84 provided at one end of the flap 70 is inserted into the link shaft hole 52 formed in the link member 50. The tip portion of the link shaft portion 84 is formed in a tapered shape. This makes it easier to insert the link shaft portion 84 into the link shaft hole 52. Then, when assembling the flap 70 to the frame 10, by inserting the first rotation shaft portion 76 into the rotation shaft hole 18 and inserting the link shaft portion 84 into the link shaft hole 52 at the same time, the connection with the link member 50 can be easily achieved.

[0082] In the grill shutter 1 of this embodiment, the second rotation shaft portion 78 that is not inserted into the rotation shaft hole 18 is fitted into the fitting groove 40 formed in the outside portion 36. The opening of the fitting groove 40 is closed by the frame cover 90. This frame cover 90 prevents the second rotation shaft portion 78 from coming out of the fitting groove 40. In the manufacture of the grill shutter 1, when assembling the flap 70 to the frame 10, the flap 70 is tilted obliquely with respect to the assembled posture, and while the first rotation shaft portion 76 is directed toward the receiving portion 22 and inserted into the rotation shaft hole 18, the tilt is returned to align with the assembled posture of the flap 70, and the second rotation shaft portion 78 is fitted into the fitting groove 40, so that the flap 70 can be easily assembled to the frame 10.

[0083] 《Other Embodiments》 In the above embodiment, the link shaft portion 84 is provided at one end of the flap 70 and the link shaft hole 52 is formed in the link member 50, but it is not limited to this. The link shaft portion 84 and the link shaft hole 52 may be provided reversely at one end of the flap 70 and the link member 50. That is, the link shaft portion 84 may be provided on the link member 50 and the link shaft hole 52 may be formed at one end of the flap 70.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the receiving portion 22 is positioned on the downstream side of the rotation shaft hole 18 in the flow direction of the air passing through the opening 12, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the receiving portion 22 may be positioned on the upstream side of the rotation shaft hole 18 in the flow direction of the air passing through the opening 12, and can be positioned in the rotation shaft hole 18 by aligning the first rotation shaft portion 76 when assembling the flap 70 to the frame 10. If possible, it can be provided at any position on the periphery of the rotation shaft hole 18.

[0085] In the above embodiment, a plurality of flaps 70 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction so as to be parallel in a state where their rotation axes RA face the left - right direction, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of flaps 70 may be arranged side by side in the left - right direction so as to be parallel in a state where their rotation axes RA face the up - down direction.

[0086] As described above, as an example of the technology of the present disclosure, preferred embodiments have been described. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and is also applicable to embodiments in which appropriate changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. are made. It is understood by those skilled in the art that various further modifications are possible within the scope not departing from the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure, and such modifications also belong to the scope of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0087] Note that the descriptions such as "first", "second",... described above are only used to distinguish the phrases to which these descriptions are attached, and do not limit the number or order of those phrases.

Industrial Applicability

[0088] As described above, the present disclosure is useful for a grill shutter in which a flap is rotatably assembled to a frame and disposed in an opening forming a ventilation path.

Explanation of Signs

[0089] RA Rotation axis 1 Grill shutter 10 Frame 12 Opening 16 Center wall part (wall part) 18 Rotation axis hole 22 Receiving part 26 Guide part 38 Side wall part (wall part) 40 Embedding groove 50 Link member 52 Link axis hole 70 Flap 76 First rotation axis part (rotation axis part) 78 Second rotation axis part (rotation axis part) 84 Link axis part 90 Frame cover

Claims

1. A frame (10) formed with an opening (12) serving as a ventilation passage, and a flap (70) disposed within the opening (12) of the frame (10), comprising: The flap (70) is rotatably supported by the frame (10) and is a grill shutter for opening and closing the opening (12), At both ends of the flap (70), there are respectively provided rotating shaft portions (75) that form the rotation center of the flap (70), On a wall portion (16) facing the inside of the opening (12) of the frame (10), there are provided a rotating shaft hole (18) into which one of the rotating shaft portions (75) of the flap (70) is inserted, and a receiving portion (22) protruding inward from the periphery of the rotating shaft hole (18) toward the inside of the opening (12). A grill shutter characterized by the above.

2. In the grill shutter according to Claim 1, The receiving portion (22) is located on the downstream side of the rotating shaft hole (18) in the air flow direction passing through the opening (12). A grill shutter characterized by the above.

3. In the grill shutter according to Claim 2, On the wall portion (16) facing the inside of the opening (12) of the frame (10), guide portions (26) are provided extending in a direction away from each other at positions passing through the rotating shaft hole (18) from both ends of the receiving portion (22) in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft hole (18). A grill shutter characterized by the above.

4. In the grill shutter according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, A plurality of the flaps (70) are provided side by side in one direction such that their rotation axes (RA) are parallel to each other, Further comprising a link member (50) for interlocking the plurality of flaps (70), The link member (50) is swingably supported at one end of the flap (70) provided with the rotating shaft portion (75), On one of one end of the flap (70) and the link member (50), a link shaft portion (84) that forms the swing center of the link member (50) is provided, and on the other, a link shaft hole (52) into which the link shaft portions (84a, 84b) are inserted is formed. The tip portion of the link shaft portion (84) is formed in a tapered shape. A grill shutter characterized by the above.

5. In the grill shutter according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, In a portion of the wall portion (38) facing the rotation shaft hole (18) in the opening (12) of the frame (10), a fitting groove (40) into which the rotation shaft portion (75) provided at the other end of the flap (70) is fitted is formed. Further provided is a frame cover (90) for closing the opening of the fitting groove (40). A grille shutter characterized by the above.

Images