Grille shutter device

Abstract

To provide a grill shutter device which can inhibit deterioration of the design.SOLUTION: A grille shutter device 10 includes: a frame body 20 having an inlet 21 into which air flows and defining a design surface of a front section of a vehicle; and flaps 30 that have upper rotary shafts 33, extending in a vertical direction and supported rotatably relative to the frame body 20, and are configured to open or close the inlet 21 by rotating in forward and reverse directions around respective rotary shafts 33. A front surface of a part of the frame body 20 that surrounds the inlet 21 extends in a direction intersecting a vehicle width direction such that the front surface inclines toward the rear of the vehicle as it goes to the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The flaps 30 located in their closed positions at which the flaps 30 close the inlet 21 are arranged such that front surfaces of the flaps 30 are arranged along the front surface of the frame body 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a grill shutter device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a grill shutter device that opens and closes a grill opening provided at the front of a vehicle. The grill shutter device includes a plurality of blades having a rotation shaft that extends in the vertical direction. The blades are arranged at intervals within the grill opening on the same axis that extends in the vehicle width direction. The blades open and close the grill opening by rotating forward and backward around the rotation shaft. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 082556 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, the front of a vehicle may have a design surface that extends transversely in the vehicle width direction, for example, so that the outer edges of the vehicle are positioned further rearward in the vehicle width direction. When the grille shutter device described in Patent Document 1 is installed in the front of a vehicle with such a design surface, the multiple blades are arranged on the same axis extending in the vehicle width direction, but the design surface of the front of the vehicle extends transversely in the vehicle width direction. In this case, it becomes difficult for the front surfaces of the multiple blades, when they are closing the grill opening, to be aligned with the design surface. This may degrade the design of the grille shutter device and, ultimately, the design of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Various aspects of the grille shutter device for solving the above problems will be described below. [Mode 1] A grill shutter device for opening and closing an opening provided in a vehicle, the grill shutter device comprising: a frame body having an air inlet through which air flows, when the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are defined as the front and rear, respectively, and constituting the design surface of the front of the vehicle; and a plurality of flaps that extend in the vertical direction and have a rotating shaft that is rotatably supported on the frame body, and that open and close the air inlet by rotating in forward and reverse directions around the rotating shaft, the front surfaces of the portions of the frame body that surround the air inlet extending crosswise to the vehicle width direction so as to be located further rearward the outer portions in the vehicle width direction, and the plurality of flaps that are positioned in a closed position that blocks the air inlet are arranged in a row so that the front surfaces of the plurality of flaps are along the front surface of the frame body.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the front surface of the frame body, which constitutes the design surface of the vehicle, extends crosswise with respect to the vehicle width direction so that the outer portions thereof are positioned further rearward in the vehicle width direction. The flaps positioned in the closed position are arranged side by side so that their front surfaces are aligned with the front surface of the frame body. Therefore, the surface direction of the flaps positioned in the closed position is aligned with the design surface of the vehicle. This prevents degradation of the design of the grille shutter device.

[0007] [Aspect 2] A grill shutter device as described in [Aspect 1], having a plurality of support parts that rotatably support each of the plurality of flaps, and equipped with a link that links the rotation of each of the plurality of flaps, the rotation axes of the plurality of flaps are arranged side by side on an imaginary axis that extends in a straight line so that they are positioned further rearward as they move further outward in the vehicle width direction, and the plurality of support parts are arranged side by side along the imaginary axis.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the multiple support parts of the link are aligned along an imaginary axis along which the rotation axes of the multiple flaps are aligned in a straight line. This eliminates the need for, for example, joints in the link to link the multiple flaps. This prevents the link configuration, and ultimately the grille shutter device configuration, from becoming complicated.

[0009] [Aspect 3] A grill shutter device as described in [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2], wherein when the inner end in the vehicle width direction of each of the multiple flaps positioned in the closed position is defined as the inner end and the outer end in the vehicle width direction is defined as the outer end, the outer end of the flap positioned in the closed position overlaps from the front with the inner end of another flap that is adjacent to the flap on the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the front faces of the multiple flaps positioned in the closed position are aligned along the front face of the frame. Therefore, when the vehicle is traveling, air blown onto the front faces of the multiple flaps is more likely to flow outward in the vehicle width direction along the front faces of the multiple flaps. Here, according to the above configuration, the outer end of a flap positioned in the closed position overlaps, from the front, the inner end of another flap adjacent to the flap on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, air flowing outward in the vehicle width direction along the front faces of the flaps can be prevented from passing the outer end, turning around behind the outer end, and flowing between the two flaps overlapping in the front-to-rear direction. This makes it less likely that air flowing along the front faces of the flaps will enter behind the multiple flaps positioned in the closed position. Therefore, the inlet can be blocked effectively.

[0011] [Aspect 4] A grill shutter device described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3], wherein the front surface of each of the multiple flaps positioned in the closed position is in contact with the rear surface of the portion of the frame body that surrounds the inlet.

[0012] With the above configuration, the gap in the front-to-rear direction between the front surface of the flap in the closed position and the rear surface of the frame is reduced, making the gap between the flap in the closed position and the frame less visible from the front, thereby preventing a decrease in the design of the grille shutter device.

[0013] [Aspect 5] A grill shutter device as described in [Aspect 4], wherein the rear surface of the frame body has a plurality of notches formed along the front surface of each of the plurality of flaps positioned in the closed position, and the front surface of each of the plurality of flaps positioned in the closed position contacts the inner surface of the notch.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the notch formed on the rear surface of the frame is aligned with the front surface of the flap when it is in the closed position. Therefore, when the flap is in the closed position, it comes into contact with the inner surface of the notch, making it even more difficult to see the gap between the flap and the frame from the front. This further reduces the deterioration of the design of the grille shutter device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the design of the grille shutter device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle equipped with a grille shutter device of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the grill shutter device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the grille shutter device when the flap is in the open position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the grille shutter device when the flap is in the closed position. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the grille shutter device of the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the flap of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the grille shutter device will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In this specification, the term "along" refers not only to a case where the target direction is strictly parallel to the reference direction, but also to a case where the target direction is generally along the reference direction within a range where the effects of this embodiment are achieved.

[0018] Hereinafter, the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 100 shown in Fig. 1 will be described as "front" and "rear", respectively. Furthermore, the right and left in the vehicle width direction when the vehicle 100 is moving forward will be described as "right" and "left", respectively. Furthermore, the top and bottom in the vertical direction of the vehicle 100 will be described as "upper" and "lower", respectively.

[0019] (Grille shutter device 10) As shown in Fig. 1, the grille shutter device 10 is attached to an opening 102 provided in the front part of a body 101 of a vehicle 100. The grille shutter device 10 opens and closes the opening 102 to allow or block the inflow of air into the inside of the body 101 through the opening 102. Behind the opening 102 inside the body 101, for example, a radiator (not shown) is arranged.

[0020] The front of the vehicle 100 has a design surface 100a that curves from the center in the vehicle width direction toward the outside, becoming more rearward. The grille shutter device 10 forms part of the design surface 100a. The grille shutter device 10 curves and extends along the design surface 100a from the center in the vehicle width direction toward the outside, becoming more rearward.

[0021] The grille shutter device 10 has a cover portion 11 and two shutter portions 12 located on both sides of the cover portion 11 in the vehicle width direction. A device such as a millimeter wave radar (not shown) is attached to the rear surface of the cover portion 11. The two shutter portions 12 have shapes symmetrical in the vehicle width direction.

[0022] Hereinafter, the configuration of the left shutter section 12 of the two shutter sections 12 will be described, and a description of the configuration of the right shutter section 12 will be omitted. 2, the shutter section 12 includes a frame body 20, a plurality of flaps 30, an upper retainer 40, a lower retainer 41, a link 50, and an actuator 60. The frame body 20, each of the flaps 30, the upper retainer 40, the lower retainer 41, and the link 50 are formed from a resin material.

[0023] The frame body 20 is attached to an opening 102 (see FIG. 1) of a body 101. A plurality of flaps 30 are rotatably supported by the frame body 20. An upper retainer 40 and a lower retainer 41 prevent the plurality of flaps 30 supported by the frame body 20 from falling off. A link 50 connects the plurality of flaps 30 to one another, thereby interlocking the rotation of the plurality of flaps 30 relative to the frame body 20. An actuator 60 rotates the flaps 30.

[0024] Each component of the shutter section 12 will be described in detail below. (Frame 20) The frame 20 has an inlet 21 through which air flows in. The inlet 21 penetrates the frame 20 in the front-rear direction. The inlet 21 has a generally rectangular shape that is long in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] The frame body 20 has an upper frame portion 22 that forms the upper edge of the inlet 21, a lower frame portion 23 that forms the lower edge of the inlet 21, and a pair of vertical frame portions 24 that form both side edges of the inlet 21. The pair of vertical frame portions 24 connect the ends of the upper frame portion 22 and the lower frame portion 23 to each other.

[0026] The front surfaces of the portions of the frame body 20 surrounding the inlet 21, i.e., the front surfaces of the upper frame portion 22, the lower frame portion 23, and the pair of vertical frame portions 24, extend crosswise relative to the vehicle width direction so as to be positioned further rearward as they move from the cover portion 11 toward the outer portions in the vehicle width direction. More specifically, the front surfaces of the frame body 20 extend in a curved manner so as to be positioned further rearward as they move toward the outer portions in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] The upper frame 22 has a plurality of upper support portions 25 that rotatably support upper rotation shafts 33 of the flaps 30, which will be described later. The plurality of upper support portions 25 are arranged side by side at intervals from one another in the longitudinal direction of the inlet 21. Each upper support portion 25 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the upper frame 22. Each upper support portion 25 opens rearward and has a recess that rotatably houses the upper rotation shaft 33. The upper rotation shaft 33 is housed in the recess of each upper support portion 25 through the rear opening.

[0028] The lower frame 23 has a plurality of lower support portions 26 that rotatably support a lower rotation shaft 34 of the flap 30, which will be described later. The plurality of lower support portions 26 are arranged in a line at intervals from one another in the longitudinal direction of the inlet 21. The plurality of lower support portions 26 are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of upper support portions 25. Each lower support portion 26 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the lower frame 23. Each lower support portion 26 opens rearward and has a recess that rotatably accommodates the lower rotation shaft 34. The lower rotation shaft 34 is accommodated in the recess of each lower support portion 26 through the rear opening.

[0029] A plurality of upper cutouts 22a are formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the inlet 21 in a portion of the rear surface of the upper frame portion 22 that forms the upper edge of the inlet 21. The plurality of upper cutouts 22a are formed so as to be positioned as far rearward as the upper cutouts 22a positioned on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction. Each upper cutout 22a has a shape that fits along the front surface of the flap 30 when it is in a closed position, which will be described later.

[0030] A plurality of lower cutouts 23a are formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the inlet 21 in a portion of the rear surface of the lower frame portion 23 that forms the lower edge of the inlet 21. The plurality of lower cutouts 23a are formed so as to be positioned as far rearward as the lower cutouts 23a positioned on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction. The plurality of lower cutouts 23a are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of upper cutouts 22a. Each lower cutout 23a has a shape that follows the front surface of the flap 30 when it is in a closed position, which will be described later.

[0031] (Flap 30) The multiple flaps 30 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the inlet 21. The multiple flaps 30 include one driving flap 30A and multiple driven flaps 30B. The shutter section 12 has, for example, seven driven flaps 30B. The driving flap 30A is arranged, for example, between three driven flaps 30B that are parallel to one another and four driven flaps 30B that are parallel to one another.

[0032] The flap 30 has a main body 31, an upper rotation shaft 33, a lower rotation shaft 34, and a support shaft 35. The main body 31, the upper rotation shaft 33, the lower rotation shaft 34, and the support shaft 35 are formed continuously and integrally without any breaks. The main body 31 of the multiple flaps 30 have the same shape. The upper rotation shaft 33 of the driving flap 30A and the upper rotation shaft 33 of the driven flap 30B have different shapes. The upper rotation shaft 33 and the lower rotation shaft 34 are examples of "rotation shafts."

[0033] The main body 31 has a rectangular plate shape with long sides extending vertically and short sides extending perpendicular to the long sides. A protruding piece 32 is provided at the upper end of the main body 31, protruding from one side in the plate thickness direction of the main body 31.

[0034] The upper rotation shaft 33 protrudes upward from the upper end of the main body 31. The upper rotation shaft 33 is located at one end of the main body 31 in the short side direction. The lower rotation shaft 34 protrudes downward from the lower end of the main body 31. The lower rotation shaft 34 is located at one end of the main body 31 in the short side direction. The upper rotation shaft 33 and the lower rotation shaft 34 are located on the same axis extending in the vertical direction. The upper rotation shaft 33 and the lower rotation shaft 34 are rotatably supported by the upper support part 25 and the lower support part 26, respectively.

[0035] The multiple flaps 30 are arranged side by side on an imaginary axis V that extends linearly so that the more outwardly they are positioned rearward in the vehicle width direction. More specifically, the multiple upper rotation shafts 33 are arranged side by side on the imaginary axis V, and the multiple lower rotation shafts 34 are arranged side by side on the imaginary axis V. The multiple flaps 30 are arranged at equal intervals along the imaginary axis V.

[0036] A gear portion 33a having a plurality of teeth is formed at the tip of the upper rotary shaft 33 of the drive flap 30A. The support shaft 35 protrudes upward from the tip of the protruding piece 32 of the main body 31. The support shaft 35 is located rearward of the upper rotation shaft 33.

[0037] 3 and 4, the flap 30 opens and closes the inlet 21 by rotating about an upper rotation shaft 33 and a lower rotation shaft 34 between an open position that opens the inlet 21 and a closed position that closes the inlet 21. The upper retainer 40 and the lower retainer 41 are not shown in FIGS.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, when the flap 30 is in the open position, the direction of the short side of the main body 31 coincides with the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100. As shown in Figure 4, when the flap 30 is in the closed position, the short side direction of the main body 31 is inclined relative to the vehicle width direction so that it is positioned further rearward from one end where the upper rotating shaft 33 and the lower rotating shaft 34 are provided to the other end.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6 , the multiple flaps 30 in the closed position are arranged side by side so that the front surfaces of the multiple flaps 30 exposed from the inlet 21 are aligned along the front surfaces of the upper frame portion 22 and the lower frame portion 23. When the flaps 30 are in the closed position, one end of the main body portion 31, on which the upper rotation shaft 33 and the lower rotation shaft 34 are provided, in the short side direction is overlapped from the rear by the other end of the main body portion 31 opposite to the one end of the other main body portion 31. At this time, one end of the main body portion 31 of the flap 30 positioned innermost in the vehicle width direction is overlapped from the rear by the vertical frame portion 24 positioned inner in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the other end of the main body portion 31 of the flap 30 positioned outermost in the vehicle width direction is overlapped from the rear by the vertical frame portion 24 positioned outer in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 5, the front surface of the main body portion 31 of each flap 30 positioned in the closed position is in contact with the rear surfaces of the upper frame portion 22 and the lower frame portion 23. More specifically, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the front surface of the main body portion 31 of each flap 30 positioned in the closed position is in contact with the inner surfaces of the upper cutout 22a and the lower cutout 23a over substantially the entire short side direction of the main body portion 31.

[0041] (Upper retainer 40 and lower retainer 41) As shown in FIG. 2, the upper retainer 40 and the lower retainer 41 have an elongated shape extending in the direction of the long side of the inlet 21.

[0042] The upper retainer 40 is attached to the upper frame portion 22 so as to cover from the rear the recesses of all of the upper support portions 25. This prevents the upper rotating shaft 33 housed in the recesses of the upper support portions 25 from falling out.

[0043] The lower retainer 41 is attached to the lower frame portion 23 so as to cover from the rear the recesses of all of the lower support portions 26. This prevents the lower rotation shaft 34 housed in the recesses of the lower support portions 26 from falling out.

[0044] (Link 50) The link 50 is shaped like a long plate extending in the direction of the long side of the inlet 21. The link 50 has a plurality of support holes 51 that rotatably support the support shafts 35 of the flaps 30. The plurality of support holes 51 are provided at intervals from one another in the longitudinal direction of the link 50. The plurality of support holes 51 are provided side by side along the above-mentioned imaginary axis V. The support holes 51 are an example of a "support portion."

[0045] The link 50 transmits the power acting on the driving flap 30A to each of the driven flaps 30B via the actuator 60. As a result, each of the driven flaps 30B rotates in conjunction with the rotational movement of the driving flap 30A.

[0046] (Actuator 60) The actuator 60 is, for example, a motor whose output shaft is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions.

[0047] The actuator 60 is attached to, for example, the upper retainer 40. The output shaft of the actuator 60 is connected to the gear portion 33a of the driving flap 30A. The power of the actuator 60 is transmitted to the driving flap 30A via the gear portion 33a, causing the driving flap 30A to rotate in the forward and reverse directions.

[0048] <Operation of this embodiment> The front surface of the frame body 20 that constitutes the design surface 100a of the vehicle 100 extends in a curved manner so that the outer portions in the vehicle width direction are positioned further rearward. The multiple flaps 30 that are positioned in the closed position are arranged side by side so that the front surfaces of the multiple flaps 30 are aligned along the front surface of the frame body 20. Therefore, the surface direction of the multiple flaps 30 that are positioned in the closed position is aligned along the design surface 100a of the vehicle 100.

[0049] <Effects of this embodiment> (1-1) The front surfaces of the upper frame portion 22 and the lower frame portion 23 extend in a curved manner so that the outer portions in the vehicle width direction are positioned further rearward. The multiple flaps 30 positioned in the closed position are arranged side by side so that the front surfaces of the flaps 30 are aligned along the front surfaces of the upper frame portion 22 and the lower frame portion 23.

[0050] According to the above configuration, the above-mentioned effects are achieved, and therefore deterioration in the design of the grille shutter device 10 can be suppressed. (1-2) The upper rotation shafts 33 and the lower rotation shafts 34 of the multiple flaps 30 are arranged side by side on an imaginary axis V that extends linearly so that the outer sides are positioned further rearward in the vehicle width direction. The multiple support holes 51 are arranged side by side along the imaginary axis V.

[0051] According to the above configuration, the multiple support holes 51 are arranged side by side along the imaginary axis V along which the upper rotation shafts 33 and lower rotation shafts 34 of the multiple flaps 30 are aligned in a straight line. Therefore, in order to link the multiple flaps 30, it is not necessary to provide a joint in the link 50, for example. This makes it possible to prevent the configuration of the link 50, and therefore the configuration of the grille shutter device 10, from becoming complicated.

[0052] (1-3) The front surface of each of the flaps 30 positioned in the closed position is in contact with the inner surfaces of the upper cutout 22a and the lower cutout 23a. According to the above configuration, the flap 30 in the closed position comes into contact with the inner surfaces of the upper notch 22a and the lower notch 23a, making it difficult to see the gap between the flap 30 and the frame body 20 from the front. Therefore, deterioration in the design of the grille shutter device 10 can be suppressed.

[0053] (1-4) The main bodies 31 of the multiple flaps 30 have the same shape. Therefore, for example, if the length of the inlet 21 in the vehicle width direction differs for each vehicle model, changing the number of flaps 30 eliminates the need to prepare different types of flaps 30 for each vehicle model. Therefore, the flaps 30 can be standardized in multiple types of grille shutter devices that are applied to vehicle models with different lengths of the inlet 21 in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, for example, if the length of the inlet 21 in the vertical direction differs for each vehicle model, preparing flaps 30 with different lengths in the vertical direction eliminates the need to prepare different types of upper retainers 40, lower retainers 41, and links 50 for each vehicle model. Therefore, the upper retainers 40, lower retainers 41, and links 50 can be standardized in multiple types of grille shutter devices that are applied to vehicle models with different lengths of the inlet 21 in the vertical direction.

[0054] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the grille shutter device 210 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0055] In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Also, components corresponding to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the reference numeral "2**," which is obtained by adding "200" to the reference numeral "**" in the first embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, in the grille shutter device 210 of the second embodiment, the arrangement of the multiple flaps 230 is different from that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the main body portion 231 of the flap 230 positioned in the closed position will be referred to as the inner end portion 230A, and the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the main body portion 231 will be referred to as the outer end portion 230B. The outer end portion 230B is the end portion of the flap 230 opposite to the inner end portion 230A.

[0057] An upper rotary shaft 33 (see FIG. 2) and a lower rotary shaft 34 are provided on the outer end portion 230B. The flaps 230 in the closed position are arranged side by side so that the front surfaces of the flaps 230 are aligned along the front surface of the frame 220 .

[0058] 8, the outer end 230B of a flap 230 positioned in the closed position overlaps, from the front, the inner end 230A of another flap 230 that is adjacent to the flap 230 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the outer end 230B of a flap 230 and the inner end 230A of another flap 230 that is adjacent to the flap 230 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction are in contact with each other in the front-rear direction.

[0059] 7, the inner end 230A of the flap 230 located innermost in the vehicle width direction is in contact with the vertical frame portion 24 located innermost in the vehicle width direction from behind. Also, the outer end 230B of the flap 230 located outermost in the vehicle width direction is in contact with the vertical frame portion 24 located outermost in the vehicle width direction from behind.

[0060] Each flap 230 moves from the closed position indicated by the solid line to the open position indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 7 by rotating so that the inner end 230A is positioned rearward. Therefore, when the flap 230 is positioned in the open position, the main body 231 of the flap 230 is positioned rearward of the inlet 21.

[0061] The front surface of the main body portion 231 of each flap 230 positioned in the closed position is in contact with the rear surface of the lower frame portion 223 of the frame body 220. More specifically, the front surface of the main body portion 231 of each flap 230 positioned in the closed position is in contact with the inner surface of the lower cutout 223a over substantially the entire short side direction of the main body portion 231. Although not shown, similarly to the first embodiment, the front surface of the main body portion 231 of each flap 230 positioned in the closed position is in contact with the inner surface of the upper cutout formed in the upper frame portion of the frame body 220 over substantially the entire short side direction of the main body portion 231.

[0062] <Operation of this embodiment> The front faces of the multiple flaps 230 positioned in the closed position are arranged side by side along the front face of the frame body 220. Therefore, as shown by the solid arrows in FIG. 8 , air blown onto the front faces of the multiple flaps 230 while the vehicle 100 is traveling tends to flow outward in the vehicle width direction along the front faces of the multiple flaps 230. Here, according to the grille shutter device 210 of this embodiment, the outer end 230B of one flap 230 positioned in the closed position overlaps, from the front, the inner end 230A of another flap 230 adjacent to the flap 230 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, after passing the outer end 230B, air flowing outward in the vehicle width direction along the front face of the flap 230 can be prevented from turning around behind the outer end 230B and flowing toward the gap between the two flaps 230 overlapping in the front-to-rear direction, as shown by the two-dot-dash arrow in FIG. 8 . This makes it difficult for air flowing along the front faces of the flaps 230 to enter behind the multiple flaps 230 positioned in the closed position.

[0063] <Effects of this embodiment> (2-1) The outer end 230B of a flap 230 positioned in the closed position overlaps, from the front, the inner end 230A of another flap 230 adjacent to the flap 230 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0064] According to the above configuration, the above-mentioned effect is achieved, and therefore the inlet 21 can be closed appropriately. (2-2) The outer end 230B of the flap 230 located in the closed position and the inner end 230A of another flap 230 adjacent to the flap 230 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction are in contact with each other in the front-rear direction.

[0065] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the gaps between the flaps 230 positioned in the closed position from increasing, which makes it even more difficult for air flowing along the front surfaces of the flaps 230 to enter behind the multiple flaps 230 positioned in the closed position.

[0066] <Example of change> The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0067] Although modifications of the first embodiment will be described below, similar modifications can also be implemented in the second embodiment. That is, the following description of the modifications can be interpreted as the configuration of the second embodiment.

[0068] The frame 20 may have either the upper notch 22a or the lower notch 23a. The upper notch 22a and the lower notch 23a may be omitted from the frame body 20. Even in this case, it is preferable that the front surface of each of the multiple flaps 30 positioned in the closed position contacts the rear surface of the frame body 20.

[0069] The front surface of each of the flaps 30 in the closed position does not have to be in contact with the rear surface of the frame 20. The multiple flaps 30 in the closed position may be arranged side by side on an imaginary line that curves and extends along the front surface of the frame body 20. In this case, the shapes of the main body portions 31 of the multiple flaps 30 may be different from each other. Also, in this case, the multiple support holes 51 of the link 50 do not have to be arranged in a straight line.

[0070] The link 50 may have, as a support portion, a support protrusion that protrudes toward each flap 30 instead of the support hole 51. In this case, each flap 30 only needs to have a hole into which the support protrusion is inserted.

[0071] The front surface of the frame 20 may extend linearly and inclined relative to the vehicle width direction so that the outer portions thereof are positioned more rearward in the vehicle width direction. The upper rotation shaft 33 and the lower rotation shaft 34 may be provided between one end and the other end of the main body 31 in the short side direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] V: Virtual axis 10...Grille shutter device 11...Cover part 12...Shutter section 20...Frame 21...Inlet 22...Top frame part 22a...Top notch 23…Bottom frame part 23a...lower notch 24...Vertical frame section 25...Top support part 26…Lower support part 30...Flap 30A...Drive flap 30B...Following flap 31...Main body 32...Protruding piece 33...Upper rotating shaft 33a...Gear section 34...Lower rotating shaft 35...Support shaft 40...Upper retainer 41...Lower retainer 50…Links 51...Support hole 60...Actuator 100...Vehicle 100a...Design surface 101...Body 102...Opening 210...Grille shutter device 220…frame body 223…Bottom frame part 223a...lower notch 230…Flap 230A…Inner end 230B…Outer end 231...Main body

Claims

1. A grille shutter device that opens and closes an opening provided in a vehicle, When the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are defined as the front and rear, respectively, a frame body having an inlet through which air flows in and constituting a design surface of the front part of the vehicle; a plurality of flaps that extend in the vertical direction, have a rotation shaft that is rotatably supported on the frame body, and rotate in forward and reverse directions around the rotation shaft to open and close the inlet; a front surface of a portion of the frame body surrounding the inlet extends intersecting with the vehicle width direction so that an outer portion of the front surface of the frame body is positioned more rearward in the vehicle width direction; The plurality of flaps positioned at a closed position for closing the inlet are arranged side by side such that the front surfaces of the flaps are aligned along the front surface of the frame body. Grill shutter device.

2. a link having a plurality of support parts that rotatably support each of the plurality of flaps and linking the rotation of each of the plurality of flaps; the rotation axes of the plurality of flaps are arranged side by side on a virtual axis line extending linearly so as to be positioned more rearward as they approach the outer sides in the vehicle width direction, The plurality of support portions are arranged side by side along the virtual axis line. The grill shutter device according to claim 1.

3. When the inner end of each of the flaps positioned at the closed position in the vehicle width direction is defined as an inner end, and the outer end of each of the flaps positioned at the closed position in the vehicle width direction is defined as an outer end, The outer end of the flap located in the closed position overlaps, from the front, the inner end of another flap adjacent to the flap on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The grill shutter device according to claim 1.

4. a front surface of each of the plurality of flaps positioned at the closed position contacts a rear surface of a portion of the frame surrounding the inlet; The grill shutter device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a plurality of notches are formed in the rear surface of the frame body along the front surface of each of the plurality of flaps positioned in the closed position; a front surface of each of the flaps in the closed position contacting an inner surface of the notch; The grill shutter device according to claim 4.

Images