Grill shutter

Abstract

To improve assembly property of a flap which includes a relatively long turning shank even if the turning shank on one side in one flap is longer than the turning shank on the same side of the other flap.SOLUTION: In a grill shutter (1), a first turning shank (76) of a flap (70) is inserted through a turning shank hole (18) of a center wall part (16) of a frame (10). A second turning shank (78) of the flap is inserted into an inserted groove (40) of a side wall part (38) of the frame and at the same time is received by a bearing part (42). The bearing part which receives the second turning shank of a drive flap (70B) is situated further away from an opening (12) outwards than the bearing part which receives the second turning shank of a follower flap (70A). A recess part (46) for allowing the flap body (72b) end part of the drive flap to escape is provided on an opening side of the inserted groove, i.e., on a side closer to the opening (12) than the bearing part of the inserted groove corresponding to the second turning shank of the drive flap.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to grill shutters. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that a grille shutter is provided at the front of a vehicle to improve fuel efficiency. The grille shutter opens and closes an air passage that introduces air from the front of the vehicle into the interior, and is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

[0003] The grill shutter of Patent Document 1 includes a frame formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape and multiple movable fins (flaps). A substantially circular bearing hole is formed in one side wall of the frame. A housing portion having a substantially U-shaped groove cross section is formed in the other side wall of the frame. Each movable fin is attached to the frame with a substantially cylindrical rotating shaft portion provided at one end inserted into the bearing hole and a substantially cylindrical rotating shaft portion provided at the other end housed in the housing portion. The multiple movable fins are driven to rotate by an actuator.

[0004] In manufacturing such a grill shutter, when assembling the flap to the frame, one of the pivot shafts is inserted into the bearing hole, and then the other pivot shaft is accommodated in the accommodation portion. Specifically, the flap is tilted so that one of the pivot shafts is positioned closer to the opening of the frame than the other pivot shaft, and while the one pivot shaft is inserted in a state where it abuts against the periphery of the bearing hole, the flap is rotated around the one pivot shaft as a fulcrum so that the other pivot shaft approaches the frame, thereby accommodating the other pivot shaft in the accommodation portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-65578 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the grill shutter as described above, a configuration is sometimes adopted in which multiple flaps are swingably connected by a link member, and the rotation of a driving flap, which is a flap connected to an actuator, is linked to the rotation of other flaps, which are driven flaps. In such a configuration, there is a demand for one of the rotation shafts of the driving flap to be longer than the rotation shaft on the same side of the driven flap, in order to ensure the length required for connection to the actuator.

[0007] However, if one of the rotation shafts of the driving flap is relatively long, when the driving flap is rotated around the one rotation shaft as a fulcrum so that the other rotation shaft approaches the frame during the work of assembling the driving flap to the frame, the end of the flap body on the other rotation shaft side of the driving flap interferes with the wall of the frame that supports the rotation shaft (in the grille shutter of Patent Document 1, the wall that constitutes the storage section). Therefore, it is necessary to fit the other rotation shaft into the storage section while bending the driving flap, which makes it difficult to assemble the flap.

[0008] The object of the present disclosure is to improve the assembly of flaps having relatively long pivot shafts, even if one of the pivot shafts in some of the flaps is longer than the pivot shafts on the same side of the other flaps. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the technology disclosed herein has devised a frame configuration so that when assembling a flap having a relatively long pivot shaft, the end of the flap body of the flap does not interfere with the wall portion supporting the pivot shaft.

[0010] Specifically, a first aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a grill shutter. The grill shutter of the first aspect includes a frame having an opening that forms an air passage, and multiple flaps arranged within the opening of the frame. The multiple flaps are rotatably supported by the frame so that their rotation axes are parallel to each other, and open and close the opening. Each of the multiple flaps has a flat flap body, a first rotation shaft provided at one end of the flap body, and a second rotation shaft provided at the other end of the flap body, and includes a first flap whose first rotation shaft is relatively short and a second flap whose first rotation shaft is relatively long. The first rotation shaft is inserted into a rotation shaft hole formed in one of a pair of wall portions facing each other across the opening of the frame. The second pivot shaft is fitted into a fitting groove provided in the other wall portion of the frame and is partially supported by a bearing provided at an end of or inside the fitting groove. A cover member is attached to the other wall portion to close the opening of the fitting groove and hold the second pivot shaft between the fitting groove and the bearing. The bearing that receives the second pivot shaft of the second flap is located farther outward from the opening in the direction along the pivot axis than the bearing that receives the second pivot shaft of the first flap. A relief portion is provided on the opening side of the bearing portion of the fitting groove that corresponds to the second pivot shaft of the second flap, for allowing the end of the flap main body of the second flap on the second pivot shaft side to escape when the second flap is assembled to the frame.

[0011] A second aspect of the present disclosure is the grill shutter of the first aspect, wherein the cover member and the relief portion form a shaft base accommodating portion that accommodates a base end portion of the second pivot shaft. A closing portion is provided at the base end of the second pivot shaft of the second flap to close an opening that opens toward the opening side of the shaft base accommodating portion.

[0012] A third aspect of the present disclosure is the grill shutter of the first or second aspect, further comprising an actuator for rotating the plurality of flaps and a link member for interlocking the plurality of flaps. The second flap is a driving flap whose first pivot shaft is connected to the actuator. The first flap is a driven flap connected to the second flap via the link member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the first aspect, the bearing portion that receives the second pivot shaft of the second flap is located farther from the opening than the bearing portion that receives the second pivot shaft of the first flap. A relief portion is provided on the second flap's fitting groove, corresponding to the second pivot shaft, closer to the opening than the bearing portion. The relief portion allows the flap main body end portion on the second pivot shaft side of the second flap to escape when assembling the second flap to the frame. This prevents the flap main body end portion on the second pivot shaft side of the second flap from interfering with the wall portion of the frame that supports the second pivot shaft when the second flap is rotated around the first pivot shaft as a fulcrum while inserting the first pivot shaft into the pivot hole so that the second pivot shaft approaches the frame. This improves the ease of assembling the second flap to the frame.

[0014] According to the second aspect, a blocking portion is provided at the base end of the second pivot shaft of the second flap. The blocking portion blocks the opening of the shaft base accommodating portion formed between the cover member and the relief portion. This prevents air from leaking through the shaft base accommodating portion when the multiple flaps are in a fully closed position that closes the opening of the frame. This improves airtightness when the opening of the frame is closed by the flaps.

[0015] According to the third aspect, the first flap is a driven flap and the second flap is a driving flap. The first pivot shaft of the driving flap is longer than the first pivot shaft of the driven flap and is connected to the actuator. This ensures a sufficient length for connecting the first pivot shaft of the driving flap to the actuator, and ensures that the driving force from the actuator is transmitted to the driving flap. The technology of the present disclosure is effective in such a grille shutter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a grill shutter in a fully closed state. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a schematic rear view showing the grill shutter in a fully closed state. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a schematic rear view showing the grille shutter in a fully open state. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a main part of the frame in the area surrounded by III in FIG. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating a main part of the frame in a region surrounded by IV in FIG. [Figure 4B] 4B is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the shaft portion of the flap is fitted into the fitting groove in the main part of the frame shown in FIG. 4A. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a cover member is attached to the main part in the state in which the shaft part of the flap shown in FIG. 4B is fitted. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the driving flap and the driven flap. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating the configuration of the driving flap and the driven flap. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the main parts of the driving flap and the driven flap. [Figure 8A] 8A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part including a drive flap in an open position of the grille shutter taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 4C. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of the grille shutter in a state where the drive flap shown in FIG. 8A is in a closed position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part including a driven flap of the grille shutter taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 4C. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a main part including a driving flap of a grille shutter. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of the grill shutter taken along line XI-XI in FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of the grill shutter taken along line XII-XII in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the process of assembling the follower flap to the frame in the manufacture of the grill shutter. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the process of assembling the driving flap to the frame in the manufacture of the grill shutter. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the process of assembling a driving flap to a frame in the manufacture of a grill shutter as a reference example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following embodiments, front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions are described based on the automobile on which the grill shutter is installed. In addition, in the drawings, dimensions, ratios, and numbers may be exaggerated or simplified to facilitate understanding of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0018] <<Embodiment>> The grill shutter 1 of this embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 is disposed in the front of an automobile (not shown). The front grill of the automobile is provided with a grill opening that connects the engine compartment with the exterior space of the automobile. The grill shutter 1 is provided in relation to the grill opening and is located in front of the radiator.

[0019] The grill shutter 1 is an aerodynamic control device that controls the amount of air flowing into the engine compartment through the grill opening. For example, when the engine temperature is high, the grill shutter 1 is opened to allow air to be drawn into the engine compartment, thereby cooling the radiator, while when the engine temperature is low, the grill shutter 1 is closed to allow air to escape under the floor, thereby reducing air resistance. The opening and closing operation of the grill shutter 1 is electrically controlled using an actuator 60.

[0020] - Grill shutter configuration - The grill shutter 1 has a plurality of shutter sections 3. The grill shutter 1 of this example has a lower left shutter section 3A located on the lower left side, a lower right shutter section 3B located on the lower right side, a middle left shutter section 3C located on the left side in the middle in the vertical direction, a middle right shutter section 3D located on the right side in the middle in the vertical direction, an upper left shutter section 3E located on the upper left side, and an upper right shutter section 3F located on the upper right side.

[0021] The lower left shutter section 3A and the lower right shutter section 3B, the middle left shutter section 3C and the middle right shutter section 3D, and the upper left shutter section 3E and the upper right shutter section 3F are each configured symmetrically with respect to the center pillar section 14. The lower, middle, and upper shutter sections 3 have generally the same configuration, although there are differences in size, the number of flaps 70, and the presence or absence of drive flaps 70B.

[0022] Below, the main points of the grill shutter 1 will be explained with reference to the illustration of the shutter part 3A on the lower left side.

[0023] The grill shutter 1 includes, as its components, a frame 10, a link member 50, an actuator 60, a plurality of flaps 70, and a plurality of cover members 90.

[0024] <frame> The frame 10 is a box-like object that has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front and is concave and open to the rear. A plurality of openings 12 that form ventilation paths are formed in the frame 10. Each opening 12 is provided at a position corresponding to the shutter unit 3.

[0025] A center pillar portion 14 is provided between two openings 12 aligned in the left-right direction in the frame 10. An outside portion 36 is provided on the side of each opening 12 in the frame 10 opposite the center pillar portion 14, i.e., on the outside of each opening 12 in the left-right direction. The center pillar portion 14 and the outside portion 36 form a pair of walls 16, 38 that face each other across the opening 12 of the frame 10.

[0026] Both side surfaces of the center pillar portion 14 each constitute a center wall portion 16 that faces the inside of the opening 12 of the frame 10. The center wall portion 16 is an example of one of the walls. As shown in FIG. 3, the center wall portion 16 has a plurality of pivot shaft holes 18 formed therein.

[0027] The pivot shaft holes 18 penetrate the center wall portion 16 in the left-right direction. The pivot shaft holes 18 are holes through which the first pivot shaft portions 76 of the flaps 70 are inserted, and the number of pivot shaft holes 18 provided is the same as the number of flaps 70 arranged in the shutter portion 3. The multiple pivot shaft holes 18 are provided at approximately equal intervals in the vertical direction. One of the multiple pivot shaft holes 18 in the center wall portion 16 facing each opening 12 in the lower row forms a circular drive shaft hole 20. In this example, the drive shaft hole 20 is the second pivot shaft hole 18 below the uppermost pivot shaft hole 18.

[0028] The other pivot shaft holes 18 are formed in a keyhole shape by expanding a portion of the circular outer periphery into a rectangle. The expanded convex hole portion of this pivot shaft hole 18 is provided in a position corresponding to the first retaining protrusion 80 provided on the first pivot shaft portion 76 of the flap 70 in the fully open position. The convex hole portion of the pivot shaft hole 18 in this example is located forward of the circular portion of the pivot shaft hole 18.

[0029] The center wall 16 is further provided with a plurality of receiving portions 22, a plurality of guide portions 26, a front plate piece 30, a rear plate piece 32, and a connecting rib 34.

[0030] The receiving portion 22 is a portion that protrudes inward from the periphery of the pivot shaft hole 18 of the center wall portion 16 toward the inside of the opening 12, and serves to receive the first pivot shaft portion 76 of the flap 70. A receiving portion 22 is provided for each pivot shaft hole 18. Each receiving portion 22 is located downstream of the pivot shaft hole 18 in the flow direction of air passing through the opening 12 (i.e., rearward of the pivot shaft hole 18). Each receiving portion 22 has an arc-shaped receiving surface 24 that is continuous with the inner circumferential surface of the pivot shaft hole 18.

[0031] 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 first rotating shaft portion 76 to the receiving portion 22 when assembling the flap 70 to the frame 10. The guide portions 26 are provided for the rotating shaft holes 18 other than the drive shaft hole 20. The guide portions 26 extend from both ends of the receiving portion 22 in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft hole 18 toward the front side in directions away from each other through the rotating shaft hole 18, and have guide surfaces 28 that, together with the receiving portion 22, form a roughly V-shape.

[0032] The front plate piece 30 is a portion that protrudes inward from the front portion of the center wall 16 into the opening 12 and constitutes part of the front edge of the opening 12. The back plate piece 32 is a portion that protrudes inward from the back portion of the center wall 16 into the opening 12 and constitutes part of the back edge of the opening 12. The front plate piece 30 and the back plate piece 32 serve to close any gaps that may form between the center wall 16 and each flap 70 that constitutes the shutter section 3.

[0033] The connecting ribs 34 are provided on both the upper and lower sides of each receiving portion 22 and on one side in the up-down direction of the drive shaft hole 20 (the upper side in the example shown in FIG. 3). The connecting ribs 34 extend in the front-to-rear direction and connect the front plate piece 30 and the rear plate piece 32. Each receiving portion 22 is formed integrally with the rear plate piece 32. Each end on the front side of the guide portion 26 is connected to the connecting ribs 34. In other words, the connecting ribs 34 and the receiving portion 22 (rear plate piece 32) are connected via the guide portion 26.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4A, the inner side surface in the left-right direction of the outside portion 36 constitutes a side wall portion 38 that faces the inside of the opening 12 of the frame 10. The side wall portion 38 is an example of the other wall portion. Fitting grooves 40 are formed in portions of the side wall portion 38 that face each of the pivot shaft holes 18. The fitting grooves 40 are recessed portions into which the second pivot shaft portions 78 of the flap 70 are fitted, and the same number of fitting grooves 40 are provided as the number of pivot shaft holes 18 formed in the center pillar portion 14 of the corresponding opening 12.

[0035] The fitting grooves 40 are provided at approximately equal intervals in the vertical direction. Each fitting groove 40 opens to the front (front side) and extends left and right through the outside portion 36 to open inward into the opening 12 of the frame 10. A small plate-shaped bearing portion 42 that protrudes inward of the fitting groove 40 is provided at the end on the open side or inside the fitting groove 40.

[0036] Specifically, the bearing portion 42 is provided at the open end of the fitting groove 40 corresponding to the driven flap 70A, and is provided inside the fitting groove 40 corresponding to the drive flap 70A. The bearing portion 42 is formed so that its plate thickness direction corresponds to the length direction (left-right direction in this example) of the fitting groove 40. The fitting groove 40 corresponding to the driven flap 70A opens to the opening 12 through a receiving recess 44 formed in the bearing portion 42.

[0037] The bearing 42 that receives the second rotating shaft 78b of the driving flap 70B is located further outward in the direction along the rotating axis RA from the opening 12 (the left-right direction in this example) than the bearing 42 that receives the second rotating shaft 78b of the driven flap 70A. In other words, the bearing 42 that receives the second rotating shaft 78b of the driving flap 70B is provided in the middle of the fitting groove 40 in the length direction.

[0038] A U-shaped notched receiving recess 44 that is open forward is formed in the central portion of each bearing portion 42 in the up-down direction. The receiving recess 44 penetrates the bearing portion 42 in the thickness direction (the length direction of the fitting groove 40) and receives the second rotating shaft portion 78b. Furthermore, a relief portion 46 is provided on the fitting groove 40 corresponding to the second rotating shaft portion 78b of the drive flap 70B, closer to the opening 12 than the bearing portion 42. The relief portion 46 is a recess that is recessed more than the rest of the fitting groove 40.

[0039] The relief portion 46 is a portion for allowing the end of the flap main body 72b on the second rotation shaft portion 78b side of the drive flap 70B to escape when the drive flap 70B is assembled to the frame 10. In this example, the relief portion 46 is formed so as to form a semicircular outer edge when viewed from the opening 12 side. In addition, rectangular fitting holes 48 (only the upper fitting hole 48 is shown in FIG. 4A ) are formed on both the upper and lower sides of the outside portion 36, into which tabs (not shown) of the cover member 90 fit.

[0040] The frame 10 is formed by a conventional method such as injection molding. The frame 10 in this example is made of synthetic resin. The material of the frame 10 is not particularly limited, but examples include fiber-reinforced resins such as glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF).

[0041] <Link material> As shown by the hatching in Figures 2A and 2B, the link member 50 is a plate-shaped member extending in the vertical direction. The upper end portion of the link member 50 branches out to the left and right corresponding to the upper shutter unit 3. As a result, the link member 50 has an overall Y-shape. The link member 50 connects the multiple flaps 70 included in all of the shutter units 3.

[0042] The link member 50 is supported at one end of the multiple flaps 70 so that it can swing freely, and links the multiple flaps 70 together. Due to the behavior of this link member 50, all of the flaps 70 take the same rotational posture. Multiple link shaft holes (not shown) are formed in each of the side wall portions on both sides in the left-right direction of the link member 50. The link shaft holes are holes into which the link shaft portions 84 of the flaps 70 are inserted.

[0043] The left side wall portion of the link member 50 is provided with link shaft holes in the same number 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 link shaft holes in the same number 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 link shaft holes are formed at approximately equal intervals in the vertical direction, corresponding to the installation positions of the flaps 70.

[0044] The link member 50 is molded by a conventional method such as injection molding. In this example, the link member 50 is made of synthetic resin. The material of the link member 50 is not particularly limited, but examples include fiber-reinforced resins such as glass fiber-reinforced polyamide (PA-GF) and glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF).

[0045] <Actuator> The actuator 60 is a drive device that causes each shutter section 3 to open and close, and is responsible for rotating the drive shaft section 20 of the drive flap 70B. The actuator 60 rotates the multiple flaps 70 in cooperation with a link member. As shown in FIG. 1 , the actuator 60 is attached to the back side of the center pillar section 14 between the two lower shutter sections 3. The actuator 60 is located between the pair of left and right center wall sections 16, and is disposed between the front side portion of the center pillar section 14 and the link member 50.

[0046] The actuator 60 has a shaft connection hole 62 shown in FIG. 3. The shaft connection hole 62 corresponds to the drive shaft hole 20 and receives the drive shaft 77 (first rotating shaft 76b) of the drive flap 70B. An internal tooth shape is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft connection hole 62. The actuator 60 is connected to a control device (not shown). Based on instructions from the control device, the actuator 60 adjusts the rotation angle of the drive shaft 77, and therefore the attitude of the drive flap 70B.

[0047] <Flap> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a plurality of flaps 70 are arranged in each opening 12 of the frame 10, and serve to adjust the opening degree of the opening 12. The plurality of flaps 70 arranged in each opening 12 constitute a shutter section 3. As shown in FIG. 10, 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 are oriented in the left-right direction and are parallel to each other.

[0048] The multiple flaps 70 include a driven flap 70A and a driving flap 70B. In this example, each flap 70 is either a driven flap 70A or a driving flap 70B. The driven flap 70A is an example of a first flap. The driving flap 70B is an example of a second flap.

[0049] The multiple flaps 70 constituting the middle left shutter section 3C, the middle right shutter section 3D, the upper left shutter section 3E, and the upper right shutter section 3F are all driven flaps 70A. The multiple flaps 70 constituting the lower left shutter section 3A and the lower right shutter section 3B include a driven flap 70B in addition to the driven flap 70A. The driven flap 70B is the second flap 70 down from the uppermost flap 70 constituting each shutter section 3 in the lower section.

[0050] 5 and 6, the driven flap 70A has a flap main body 72, a first pivot shaft 76, a second pivot shaft 78, and a link shaft 84. The driven flap 70A is a flap 70 having a relatively short first pivot shaft 76. In the following, the configuration of the driven flap 70A will be distinguished from the configuration of the driving flap 70B by adding "a" to the reference numeral.

[0051] The flap main body 72a is formed in the shape of a horizontally long rectangular plate. The flap main body 72a is a part that essentially adjusts the opening area of ​​the opening 12 of the frame 10. When each shutter section 3 is in a fully closed state, wind pressure acts on the flap main body 72a due to the air flow caused by the vehicle moving. A lattice-shaped reinforcing rib 74a is provided over substantially the entire back surface of the flap main body 72a to increase the strength of the flap main body 72a.

[0052] The first pivot shaft 76a is provided at one end of the flap main body 72a that is located on the center pillar portion 14 side in the longitudinal direction. The second pivot shaft 78a is provided at the other end of the flap main body 72a that is located on the outside portion 36 side in the longitudinal direction. The first pivot shaft 76a and the second pivot shaft 78a are each cylindrical projections that project outward from the flap main body 72a in the longitudinal direction and form the rotation center of the driven flap 70A.

[0053] The first pivot shaft 76a is inserted into the corresponding pivot shaft hole 18 of the center wall portion 16. The first pivot shaft 76a rotatably supports the driven flap 70A on the center pillar portion 14. A first retaining projection 80 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the first pivot shaft 76a. The first retaining projection 80 protrudes radially outward from the first pivot shaft 76a.

[0054] The first retaining projection 80 is provided at a position corresponding to the convex hole portion of the pivot shaft hole 18 when the driven flap 70A is in the fully open position. In this example, the first retaining projection 80 is formed on a portion of the first pivot shaft 76a corresponding to one side in the width direction of the flap main body 72a, specifically, on a portion of the first pivot shaft 76a that is located on the front side when the driven flap 70A is in the open position. The first retaining projection 80 catches on the peripheral portion of the pivot shaft hole 18 excluding the convex hole portion, and functions to prevent the first pivot shaft 76a from coming off.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 4B, the second rotating shaft 78a is fitted into the corresponding fitting groove 40 of the side wall 38, and is also placed in the receiving recess 44 and partially received by the bearing 42. The second rotating shaft 78a rotatably supports the driven flap 70A on the outside portion 36. As shown in Fig. 7, a second retaining projection 82a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the second rotating shaft 78a. The second retaining projection 82a protrudes radially outward from the second rotating shaft 78a.

[0056] In this example, a pair of second retaining projections 82a are provided at positions 180° apart in the circumferential direction of the second pivot shaft 78a. One of the second retaining projections 82a is provided at the same rotation angle as the first retaining projection 80a. The other second retaining projection 82a is formed on a portion of the second pivot shaft 78a corresponding to the other side of the flap main body 72a in the width direction, specifically, on a portion of the second pivot shaft 78a that is located on the rear side when the driven flap 70A is in the open position. The second retaining projection 82a catches on the bearing portion 42 or the retaining piece 92 and functions to prevent the second pivot shaft 78a from coming off.

[0057] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the link shaft 84a is a part that forms the swing center of the link member 50 and is provided at one end of the driven flap 70A on the side of the center pillar 14. The link shaft 84a is not provided at the other end of the driven flap 70A on the side of the outside portion 36. The link shaft 84a is a cylindrical projection that projects outward in the longitudinal direction from the flap main body 72a. The length L2 of the link shaft 84a is approximately the same as the length L1 of the first pivot shaft 76a (see Figure 6).

[0058] The link shaft 84a is located slightly rearward of the driven flap 70A in the fully open position relative to the middle of the driven flap 70A in the width direction, and is located behind the driven flap 70A relative to the first pivot shaft 76a and the second pivot shaft 78a. The tip of the link shaft 84a is formed in a tapered shape. The link shaft 84a is inserted into a corresponding link shaft hole in the link member 50. The link shaft 84a supports the link member 50 on the driven flap 70A so that the link member 50 can swing freely. The driven flap 70A is connected to the driving flap 70B via the link member 50.

[0059] The driving flap 70B has a flap main body 72, a first pivot shaft 76, a second pivot shaft 78, and a link shaft 84. The driving flap 70B is a flap 70 having a relatively long first pivot shaft 76. In the following, the configuration of the driving flap 70B will be distinguished from the configuration of the driven flap 70A by adding "b" to the reference numeral.

[0060] The flap body 72b has the same configuration as the flap body 72a of the driven flap 70A. The width Wb of the flap body 72b is the same as the width Wa of the flap body 72a of the driven flap 70A, and the length Lb of the flap body 72b is the same as the length La of the flap body 72a of the driven flap 70A (see FIG. 5). A reinforcing rib 74b similar to the reinforcing rib 74a of the driven flap 70A is provided over substantially the entire back surface of the flap body 72b.

[0061] The first rotating shaft 76b is provided at one end of the flap main body 72b that is located on the center pillar portion 14 side in the longitudinal direction. The second rotating shaft 78b is provided at the other end of the flap main body 72b that is located on the outside portion 36 side in the longitudinal direction. The first rotating shaft 76b and the second rotating shaft 78b are each cylindrical projections that project outward from the flap main body 72b in the longitudinal direction, and form the rotation center of the drive flap 70B.

[0062] The first rotating shaft 76b constitutes the drive shaft 77 and is connected to the actuator 60. The length L5 of the first rotating shaft 76b is longer than the length L1 of the first rotating shaft 76b of the driven flap 70. The tip end portion of the first rotating shaft 76b is configured in a gear shape to match the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the drive shaft hole 20. As shown in FIG. 10 , the first rotating shaft 76b is inserted into the corresponding rotating shaft hole 18 of the center pillar part 14 and fitted into the shaft connecting hole 62 of the actuator 60 through the rotating shaft hole 18.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 4B, the second pivot shaft 78b is fitted into the corresponding fitting groove 40 of the outside portion 36 and is inserted into the receiving recess 44 and partially received by the bearing portion 42. The length L4 of the second pivot shaft 78b in this example is longer than the length L3 of the second pivot shaft 78a of the driven flap 70A (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 7, a generally cylindrical closing portion 79 is provided at the base end of the second pivot shaft 78b. The closing portion 79 is formed between the flap main body 72b and the second pivot shaft 78b and closes the opening 102 of the shaft base accommodating portion 100, as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 10. A recessed portion 79h is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the closing portion 79, recessed toward the center, to prevent deformation due to shrinkage after molding.

[0064] Similar to the second rotating shaft 78a of the driven flap 70A, a pair of second retaining projections 82b are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion of the second rotating shaft 78b. The pair of second retaining projections 82b protrude radially outward from the second rotating shaft 78b at positions 180° apart in the circumferential direction of the second rotating shaft 78b. The positions of each second retaining projection 82b in the circumferential direction of the second rotating shaft 89b are the same as the positions of the second retaining projections 82a of the driven flap 70A. The second retaining projections 82b hook onto the bearing portion 42 or the retaining piece 92 and function to prevent the second rotating shaft 78b from coming off.

[0065] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the link shaft 84b has the same configuration as the link shaft 84b of the driven flap 70A. The tip of the link shaft 84b is formed in a tapered shape. Like the link shaft 84a of the driven flap 70A, the link shaft 84b is inserted into the corresponding link shaft hole of the link member 50. The link shaft 84b supports the link member 50 so that it can swing freely on the driving flap 70B. The length L6 of the link shaft 84b is shorter than the length L5 of the first rotating shaft 76b (see Figure 6).

[0066] The flap 70 is formed by a conventional 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 glass fiber-reinforced polyamide (PA-GF) and glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF).

[0067] <Cover material> As shown in FIG. 1, the cover member 90 is a partial frame cover that covers the outside portion 36. A cover member 90 is provided for each outside portion 36. As also shown in FIG. 4C, each cover member 90 is attached to the front side of the corresponding outside portion 36 (side wall portion 38). Each cover member 90 is fixed to the corresponding outside portion 36 by fitting a claw (not shown) into a fitting hole 46 formed in the corresponding outside portion 36.

[0068] 8A, 8B, and 9, each cover member 90 covers the openings of the multiple fitting grooves 40 provided in the corresponding outside portion 36, and holds the second pivot shafts 78 fitted into each fitting groove 40 between the cover member 90 and the bearing portion 42. Each cover member 90 prevents the second pivot shafts 78 of the multiple flaps 70 from falling off from the outside portion 36. Each cover member 90 has a shaft stop piece 92 and a relief-shaped cover portion 94.

[0069] 11 , the shaft stopper pieces 92 are small plate-like portions that protrude from the back side of the cover member 90, and are provided for each corresponding fitting groove 40 of the outside portion 36. The shaft stopper pieces 92 are formed in portions of the cover member 90 that correspond to the bearing portions 42, with their plate thickness direction corresponding to the width direction (left-right direction in this example) of the cover member 90. The shaft stopper pieces 92 face the open end of the receiving recess 44, and function to prevent the second rotating shaft portion 78 inserted into the receiving recess 44 from coming out.

[0070] As also shown in Figure 12, the relief-shaped cover portion 94 is a portion that corresponds to the relief portion 46. In this example, the relief-shaped cover portion 94 is formed in an arc shape that bulges forward. The relief-shaped cover portion 94 forms a shaft base accommodating portion 100 between itself and the relief portion 46. The shaft base accommodating portion 100 is formed on the opening 12 side of the bearing portion 42 and the shaft stopping piece 92. The shaft base accommodating portion 100 has a generally circular recessed shape that is open to the opening 12 side, and accommodates the base end portion and closing portion 79 of the second rotating shaft portion 78b.

[0071] The cover member 90 is molded by a common method such as injection molding. The cover member 90 in this example is made of synthetic resin. The material of the cover member 90 is not particularly limited, but examples include fiber-reinforced resins such as glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF).

[0072] - Grill shutter operation - In the grill shutter 1, the drive of the actuator 60 is controlled by a control device (not shown), which rotates the multiple flaps 70 constituting each shutter section 3, adjusting the position of each flap 70. The position of each flap 70 can be switched between a fully closed position in which the opening 12 is fully closed, and a fully open position in which the opening 12 is fully open.

[0073] The fully closed position is a position in which the flap body 72 is upright so as to be approximately parallel in the vertical and horizontal directions. The fully open position is a position in which the flap body 72 is tilted so as to be approximately parallel in the front-to-back and horizontal directions. The grille shutter 1 performs a closing operation to place each flap 70 in the fully closed position, and an opening operation to place each flap 70 in the fully open position.

[0074] During the closing operation of the grille shutter 1, with each of the flaps 70 in a fully open position, the actuator 60 operates to rotate the driving flap 70B by +90°. This causes the link member 50 connected to the driving flap 70B to swing downward as shown by the outline arrow in FIG. 2A. Then, each of the driven flaps 70A connected to the link member 50 also rotates by +90°. In this way, all of the flaps 70 are in a fully closed position (see FIGS. 1 and 2A).

[0075] During the opening operation of the grille shutter 1, with each of the flaps 70 in a fully closed position, the actuator 60 operates to rotate the driving flap 70B by -90°. This causes the link member 50 connected to the driving flap 70B to swing upward as shown by the outline arrow in FIG. 2B. Then, each of the driven flaps 70A connected to the link member 50 also rotates by -90°. In this way, all of the flaps 70 are in a fully open position (see FIG. 2B).

[0076] The position that each flap 70 can take is not limited to the two rotational positions of the fully closed position and the fully open position, but may be adjusted by the actuator 60 so as to be fixed at an intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position. The intermediate position is a position that narrows the opening area of ​​the opening 12 compared to the fully open state, and may be set in two or more stages. By fixing each flap 70 at any intermediate position, the amount of air supplied to the radiator can be finely adjusted.

[0077] -How to attach the flap to the frame- In manufacturing the grill shutter 1, an assembly process is performed in which the plurality of flaps 70 are assembled to the frame 10. In this assembly process, the plurality of flaps 70 are assembled to the frame 10 together.

[0078] To assemble multiple flaps 70 together on the frame 10, first, the frame 10 and the link member 50 are set in an assembly jig (not shown). At this time, the link member 50 is placed on the back side of the center pillar portion 14 of the frame 10. The set position of the link member 50 is a position where the link shaft hole corresponds to the link shaft portion 84 of the flap 70 in the fully open position.

[0079] Next, the multiple flaps 70 are held by a gripping tool in a fully open position inclined diagonally relative to the assembled position, and one end of each flap 70 on the side of the first pivot shaft 76 is inserted into the opening 12 from the front of the frame 10. Then, the tip of the first pivot shaft 76 of each flap 70 is slid rearward while abutting against the wall surface of the center pillar 14, and is placed against the receiving portion 22 (receiving surface 24).

[0080] At this time, even if the tip of the first rotating shaft 76 is slightly misaligned with respect to the receiving portion 22 during the process of sliding it rearward, it is guided by the guide portion 26 and can therefore be easily applied to the receiving portion 22. With the tip of the first rotating shaft 76 applied to the receiving portion, the driving flap 70B protrudes further from the opening 12 toward the side corresponding to the outside portion 36 than the driven flap 70A due to the relatively long first rotating shaft 76b (see the upper diagrams of Figures 13 and 14).

[0081] 13 and 14, with the tip of the first pivot shaft portion 76 of each flap 70 facing the receiving portion 22, the first pivot shaft portion 76 is slid and inserted into the pivot shaft hole 18 while the inclination of each flap 70 is returned to its assembled position. At the same time, the link shaft portion 84 of each flap 70 is inserted into the link shaft hole of the link member 50. Here, even if there is some misalignment between the link shaft portion 84 and the link shaft hole, this is corrected by the tapered shape of the link shaft portion 84.

[0082] 13 and 14, the second pivot shaft 78 of each flap 70 is fitted into the fitting groove 40 from the front opening, and is placed in the receiving recess 44 so as to be supported by the bearing portion 42. At this time, the closing portion 79 of the driving flap 70B is placed in the relief portion 46 of the outside portion 36 (see the lower diagram of FIG. 14). The bearing portion 42 that receives the second pivot shaft 78b of the driving flap 70B is located on the side farther from the opening 12 of the fitting groove 40 (on the outer side in the left-right direction in this example) than the other bearing portions 42, and therefore does not interfere with the end of the flap main body 72b of the driving flap 70B or the closing portion 79.

[0083] Thereafter, the cover member 90 is placed over the outside portion 36 of the frame 10, and the tabs of the cover member 90 are fitted into the fitting holes 48 of the outside portion 36, thereby attaching the cover member 90 to the outside portion 36. In this way, the opening of the fitting groove 40 is closed by the cover member 90, and the second rotating shaft portion 78 is held between the shaft stopper piece 92 and the bearing portion 42.

[0084] In this manner, a plurality of flaps 70 can be assembled to the frame 10. The assembly of the flaps 70 to the frame 10 may be performed automatically by a robot.

[0085] -Features of the embodiment- 15 , if the bearing 42 that receives the second rotating shaft 78b of the driving flap 70B is provided at the open end of the fitting groove 40, similar to the bearing 42 that receives the second rotating shaft 78a of the driven flap 70A, and no relief portion 46 is provided, during the operation of assembling the driving flap 70B to the frame 10, when the driving flap 70B is rotated around the first rotating shaft 76b as a fulcrum while the first rotating shaft 76b is inserted into the rotating shaft hole 18 so that the second rotating shaft 78b approaches the frame 10, the end of the flap main body 72b on the second rotating shaft 78b side of the driving flap 70B will interfere with the side wall 38. This will result in poor assembly of the driving flap 70B.

[0086] In contrast, in the grille shutter 1 of this embodiment, the bearing portion 42 that receives the second rotating shaft portion 78b of the driving flap 70B is positioned farther from the opening 12 than the bearing portion 42 that receives the second rotating shaft portion 78a of the driven flap 70A. Further, a relief portion 46 is provided on the fitting groove 40 corresponding to the second rotating shaft portion 78b of the driving flap 70B, closer to the opening 12 than the bearing portion 42. The relief portion 46 allows the end of the flap main body 72b on the second rotating shaft portion 78b side of the driving flap 70B to escape when the driving flap 70B is assembled to the frame 10. As a result, when the first turning shaft 76b is inserted into the turning shaft hole 18 and the driving flap 70B is turned around the first turning shaft 76b as a fulcrum so that the second turning shaft 78b approaches the frame 10, the end of the flap main body 72b on the second turning shaft 78b side of the driving flap 70B can be prevented from interfering with the side wall 38 that supports the second turning shaft 78b. This improves the ease of assembling the driving flap 70B to the frame 10.

[0087] In the grille shutter 1 of this embodiment, a closing portion 79 is provided at the base end of the second pivot shaft portion 78b of the drive flap 70B. The closing portion 79 closes the opening 102 of the shaft base accommodating portion 100 formed between the cover member 90 and the relief portion 79. This makes it possible to prevent air from leaking through the shaft base accommodating portion 100 when the multiple flaps 70 are in a fully closed position in which the opening of the frame 10 is closed. This makes it possible to improve the airtightness of the opening 12 of the frame 10 when it is closed.

[0088] In the grill shutter 1 of this embodiment, the first rotating shaft 76b of the driving flap 70B is provided longer than the first rotating shaft 76b of the driven flap 70B and is connected to the actuator 60. This ensures the length required for connecting the first rotating shaft 76b of the driving flap 70B to the actuator 60, and ensures that the driving force from the actuator 60 can be transmitted reliably to the driving flap 70B. The technology of the present disclosure is effective in such a grill shutter 1.

[0089] Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the link axle portion 84 is provided at one end of the flap 70, and the link axle hole is formed in the link member 50, but this is not limited to this. The link axle portion 84 and the link axle hole may be provided at one end of the flap 70 and the link member 50, reversely. That is, the link axle portion 84 may be provided at the link member 50, and the link axle hole may be formed at one end of the flap 70.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the receiving portion 22 is located downstream of the pivot shaft hole 18 in the flow direction of air passing through the opening 12, but this is not limiting. For example, the receiving portion 22 may be located upstream of the pivot shaft hole 18 in the flow direction of air passing through the opening 12, and can be provided at any position on the periphery of the pivot shaft hole 18 as long as the receiving portion 22 can be positioned in the pivot shaft hole 18 by allocating the first pivot shaft portion 76 when assembling the flap 70 to the frame 10.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the multiple flaps 70 are arranged in the vertical direction so that the rotation axes RA of the multiple flaps 70 are parallel to each other and point in the horizontal direction, but this is not limited to this. For example, the multiple flaps 70 may be arranged in the horizontal direction so that the rotation axes RA of the multiple flaps 70 are parallel to each other and point in the vertical direction.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the first flap is the driven flap 70A and the second flap is the driving flap 70B, but this is not limiting. For example, the first flap and the second flap may both be the driven flap 70A as long as the lengths of the first pivot shaft portions 76a are different.

[0093] As described above, preferred embodiments have been described as examples of the technology of the present disclosure. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which appropriate modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure, and that such modifications also fall within the scope of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0094] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc. mentioned above are used merely to distinguish the terms to which these terms are attached, and do not limit the number or order of the terms. [Industrial Applicability]

[0095] As described above, the present disclosure is useful for grill shutters. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] RA rotation axis 1 Grill shutter 10 frames 12 aperture 16 Center wall (one wall) 38 Side wall (other wall) 40 Insertion groove 42 Bearing section 46 Relief 50 Link member 60 Actuator 70 Flap 70A Follower flap (first flap) 70B Driving flap (second flap) 72 Flap body 72b Flap body 76 First rotating shaft 78 Second rotating shaft 78a Second rotating shaft 78b Second rotating shaft 79 Occlusion 100 Shaft base housing 102 Open mouth

Claims

1. a frame (10) having an opening (12) that forms an air passage; a plurality of flaps (70) disposed within the opening (12) of the frame (10); The grill shutter includes a plurality of flaps (70) rotatably supported on the frame (10) such that their rotation axes (RA) are parallel to each other, and the grill shutter opens and closes the opening (12), Each of the plurality of flaps (70) has a flat flap body (72), a first rotation shaft portion (76) provided at one end of the flap body (72), and a second rotation shaft portion (78) provided at the other end of the flap body (72), and includes a first flap (70A) having a relatively short first rotation shaft portion (76) and a second flap (70B) having a relatively long first rotation shaft portion (76), the first rotation shaft portion (76) is inserted through the opening (12) of the frame (10) into a rotation shaft hole (18) formed in one of a pair of wall portions (16, 38) facing each other, the wall portion (16), the second rotating shaft portion (78) is fitted into a fitting groove (40) provided in the other wall portion (38) of the frame (10) and is partially supported by a bearing portion (42) provided at the end of or inside the fitting groove (40); a cover member (90) is attached to the other wall portion (38) to close the opening of the fitting groove (40) and hold the second rotating shaft portion (78) between itself and the bearing portion (42); the bearing portion (42) that receives the second rotation shaft portion (78b) of the second flap (70B) is located farther outward in a direction along the rotation shaft (RA) from the opening portion (12) than the bearing portion (42) that receives the second rotation shaft portion (78a) of the first flap (70A); a relief portion (46) for allowing an end portion of a flap main body (72b) of the second flap (70B) on the second pivot shaft portion (78b) side to escape when assembling the second flap (70B) to the frame (10) is provided on the opening (12) side of the bearing portion (42) of the fitting groove (40) corresponding to the second pivot shaft portion (78b) of the second flap (70B). A grill shutter characterized by:

2. The grill shutter according to claim 1, the cover member (90) and the relief portion (46) define a shaft base receiving portion (100) for receiving a base end portion of the second rotating shaft portion (78b); a closing portion (79) that closes an opening (102) that opens toward the opening (12) of the shaft base accommodating portion (100) is provided at a base end of the second pivot shaft portion (78b) of the second flap (70B); A grill shutter characterized by:

3. The grill shutter according to claim 1 or 2, an actuator (60) that rotates the plurality of flaps (70); a link member (50) that links the plurality of flaps (70), the second flap (70B) is a drive flap (70B) in which the first rotation shaft portion (76b) is connected to the actuator (60), the first flap (70A) is a driven flap (70A) connected to the second flap (70B) via the link member (50); A grill shutter characterized by:

Images