Grille shutter

Abstract

To provide a flap smoothly driven and having sufficient rigidity at a low cost.SOLUTION: The flap 19b is provided with a flap main body portion 21 including a substantially flat first long plate portion 21a extending in the rotation axis direction, and a second long plate portion 21b integrally extending over the entire length in the widthwise direction of the first long plate portion 21a so as to form a groove portion 23 between the first long plate portion 21a and the second long plate portion 21b and protrude in the opening direction of the groove portion 23 from the first long plate portion 21a. In the open state of the first to third openings of the frame, the groove 23 is located above the first long plate portion 21a and is open rearward. In the closed state of the first to third openings of the frame, the groove 23 is located behind the first long plate portion 21a and is open downward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a grill shutter having a frame with an opening and a long flap that opens and closes the opening of the flap by rotating around a predetermined rotation axis. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a grill shutter that includes a frame with an opening and a long flap that rotates around a predetermined rotation axis to open and close the opening of the flap, and that opens and closes an intake flow path that guides cooling air taken in from the front of the vehicle to a heat exchanger.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the rigidity of the flap is increased by forming diagonal grid-like ribs on one side of the flap, and the surface on which these ribs are formed faces the front of the vehicle when the opening of the flap is in a closed state.

[0004] In Patent Document 2, the flap is provided with a flap body having a hollow outer plate and two end pieces having shafts and closing the ends of the outer plate of the flap body.The rigidity of the flap body is increased by providing a strut inside the outer plate of the flap body that connects the opposing parts of the outer plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-104449 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6999755 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the rib is located on the front side of the vehicle of the flap when the frame opening is closed, so there is a risk that snow and rainwater that accumulates in the corners of the rib will freeze in the coldest periods, increasing the weight of the flap and preventing the flap from operating smoothly.

[0007] Furthermore, in Patent Document 2, the flap is composed of a flap main body and two end pieces, which increases the number of parts and the assembly process, resulting in increased manufacturing costs.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a flap that operates smoothly and has sufficient rigidity at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that a portion of the flap has a double structure consisting of two long plate sections, and the groove formed between the two long plate sections is oriented in a direction that makes it difficult for snow and rainwater to accumulate.

[0010] Specifically, the first invention is directed to a grill shutter that comprises a frame having an opening and a long plastic flap that opens and closes the opening in the frame by rotating around a predetermined rotation axis, and that opens and closes the intake flow path that guides cooling air taken in from the front of the vehicle to a heat exchanger, and the following solution has been implemented.

[0011] That is, in the first invention, the flap comprises a flap main body portion having a substantially flat first long plate portion extending in the rotation axis direction, and a second long plate portion which forms a groove portion between the first long plate portion and the first long plate portion, the second long plate portion extending integrally over the entire longitudinal direction in the middle of the width direction of the first long plate portion so as to protrude further than the first long plate portion in the groove opening direction, and at both ends of the rotation axis direction of the flap main body portion, a shaft portion is integrally formed protruding outward in the rotation axis direction, or a bearing hole is formed, and when the opening of the frame is in an open state, the groove portion is located above the first long plate portion and opens to the rear of the vehicle, and when the opening of the frame is in a closed state, the groove portion is located behind the first long plate portion and opens downward.

[0012] The second invention is characterized in that, in the grill shutter of the first invention, a plurality of reinforcing ribs are integrally protruded from the surface of the second long plate portion facing the groove portion at intervals in the direction of the rotation axis and are integrally connected to the first long plate portion.

[0013] The third invention is characterized in that, in the grill shutter of the first invention, the surface opposite the groove portion at the base end of the second long plate portion forms an inclined surface that gradually moves away from the first long plate portion in the thickness direction of the first long plate portion toward the opening direction of the groove portion.

[0014] The fourth invention is characterized in that, in the grill shutter of the first invention, the flap is an injection-molded product, and a thick-walled portion that is thicker than other portions of the first long plate portion and the second long plate portion is formed by the base end of the second long plate portion and the extension portion of the first long plate portion, and shaft portions are integrally formed at both ends of the flap main body in the rotation axis direction and protrude outward in the rotation axis direction, and the rotation axis is located in the thick-walled portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the groove is open toward the rear of the vehicle when the frame opening is open, and the groove is open downward when the frame opening is closed, so snow and rainwater are less likely to accumulate in the groove. Even if snow or rainwater does accumulate in the groove, closing the frame opening allows the snow and rainwater to fall and be easily discharged. This prevents the flap from becoming unable to operate smoothly due to the snow and rainwater adhering to the flap freezing.

[0016] In addition, since a portion of the flap main body has a double structure consisting of a first long plate portion and a second long plate portion, the rigidity of the entire flap main body can be increased compared to when the entire flap main body is made up of a single plate portion.

[0017] Furthermore, since there is no need to provide an end piece having a shaft separately from the flap main body as in Patent Document 2, the number of parts can be reduced and assembly work can be reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0018] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first long plate portion and the second long plate portion are reinforced by the reinforcing rib, so that the rigidity of the flap main body portion can be further increased.

[0019] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the upper surface of the flap when the opening of the flap is open has a gentle shape due to the inclined surface, so that air can flow smoothly above the flap when the opening of the flap is open.

[0020] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the thick-walled portion makes it easier to quickly distribute the resin in the longitudinal direction of the flap, uniforming the degree of resin filling and the cooling and hardening of the resin in the longitudinal direction of the flap, reducing the difference in resin shrinkage in the longitudinal direction, and suppressing molding deformation of the flap. Furthermore, by starting to fill the thick-walled portion with resin before both widthwise ends of the first long plate portion and the tip of the second long plate portion, the difference in shrinkage between the resin constituting the widthwise ends of the first long plate portion and the tip of the second long plate portion and the resin constituting the thick-walled portion can be reduced, and molding deformation of the flap can be suppressed.

[0021] Furthermore, since the shaft portion is provided around the thick portion where the resin has good fluidity, it is easy to ensure that the resin spreads throughout the shaft portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic view showing the front part of an automobile equipped with a grill shutter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view of a grill shutter according to a first embodiment of the present invention, seen from the front of a vehicle, with an opening in a frame in a closed state. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a view equivalent to FIG. 2 showing the frame opening in an open state. [Figure 4] 1 is a rear view of the grill shutter according to the first embodiment of the present invention, seen from the rear of the vehicle, with the opening of the frame in a closed state. [Figure 5] 5 is a view equivalent to FIG. 4 showing the frame opening in an open state. [Figure 6] 10 is a view of the driving flap and the driven flap viewed from diagonally above when the opening of the frame is in an open state. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view of the follower flap as seen from the front of the vehicle with the frame opening in a closed state. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a flap body portion of a follower flap in a state where the opening of the frame is closed. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 5. [Figure 10] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 5. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 5. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows the front of an automobile 1. An air intake port 5 is formed near the lower end of the front end surface of a body 3 of the automobile 1. A radiator 7 serving as a heat exchanger is disposed behind the air intake port 5, and a cooling fan 9 is disposed behind the radiator 7. An air intake passage 11 is formed between the air intake port 5 and the radiator 7, and guides cooling air taken in from the front of the vehicle to the radiator 7. A grille shutter 13 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in the air intake passage 11 so as to open and close the air intake passage 11 with its surface facing the front of the vehicle.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the grille shutter 13 includes a frame 14 that is generally rectangular in plan view. The frame 14 has a frame main body 15 that forms its main body. The frame main body 15 is made of resin such as glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF: polypropylene glass fiber). A pair of generally rectangular first to third openings 17a to 17c are formed in the frame main body 15 symmetrically in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) in order from the top. The outer edge of the first opening 17a in the vehicle width direction is formed in a straight line, and the upper end portion of the inner edge of the first opening 17a in the vehicle width direction is located more outward in the vehicle width direction than the lower portion. Therefore, the upper end portion of the first opening 17a is narrower than the lower portion.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the frame main body 15 has a main wall portion 15a whose plate surface faces in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Outer peripheral wall portions 15b (see FIG. 11) that gradually slope outward in the vehicle width direction toward the rear side are integrally formed and protrude from the outer peripheral edge of the main wall portion 15a on both sides in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, first bearing wall portions 15c whose plate surface faces in the vehicle width direction are integrally formed and protrude toward the rear side (rear side of the vehicle) from the inner edge of the first to third openings 17a to 17c of the main wall portion 15a. A plurality of shaft holes 15d are formed in the first bearing wall portion 15c at intervals in the vertical direction. The second shaft hole 15d from the top of the first bearing wall portion 15c in the third opening 17c is larger than the other shaft holes 15d. A U-shaped recess 15e is formed on the outer peripheral edge of each shaft hole 15d, except for the second shaft hole 15d from the top of the first bearing wall portion 15c of the third opening 17c, so as to recess toward the front side (vehicle front side). A receiving portion 15f, which is generally V-shaped in plan view, is integrally formed on the vehicle rearward peripheral edge of each shaft hole 15d and opens toward the front side (vehicle front side). As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a protruding wall portion 15g is integrally formed on the outer edge of each of the first to third openings 17a to 17c of the main wall portion 15a, protruding toward the rear side. A plurality of curved wall portions 15h, each having a semicircular cross section and opening toward the front side, are integrally formed on this protruding wall portion 15g and protruding toward the inside of the vehicle width direction at intervals from each other in the vertical direction. The front side ends of these curved wall portions 15h are connected by a connecting wall portion 15i (see FIG. 12) whose plate surface faces in the vehicle longitudinal direction. A second bearing wall portion 15j, whose plate surface faces the vehicle width direction, is integrally connected to the curved wall portion 15h and the end portion of the curved wall portion 15h on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. A plurality of U-shaped notches 15k that open to the front side of the vehicle are formed on the edge of the second bearing wall portion 15j on the front side of the vehicle so as to face the inner space of each curved wall portion 15h.

[0027] A plurality of elongated flaps 19a, 19b are arranged in parallel with each other in the vertical direction and extend in the vehicle width direction in the first to third openings 17a to 17c of the frame main body 15. These flaps 19a, 19b are integral injection-molded products made of resin such as glass fiber reinforced polyamide (PA-GF: polyamide glass fiber) or glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF: polypropylene glass fiber). These flaps 19a, 19b are driven by an actuator (not shown) to rotate about a predetermined rotation axis X (see FIGS. 9 to 14), thereby opening and closing the first to third openings 17a to 17c.

[0028] Of the plurality of flaps 19a, 19b, the second flap from the top of the third opening 17c is a driving flap 19a, and the other flaps are driven flaps 19b.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, the driving flap 19a and the driven flap 19b each have a long, elongated flap main body 21 that forms the main body thereof. The configuration of the flap main body 21 is common to the driving flap 19a and the driven flap 19b. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the flap main body 21 has a substantially flat first long plate 21a that extends in the direction of the rotation axis X. A second long plate 21b is integrally provided in the middle of the width of the first long plate 21a and extends over the entire longitudinal direction so as to form a groove 23 between the first long plate 21a and the second long plate 21b, the groove 23 opening to one side in the width direction of the first long plate 21a. The second long plate 21b protrudes further in the direction in which the groove 23 opens than the first long plate 21a. The base end of the second long plate portion 21b and the portion of the first long plate portion 21a to which the second long plate portion 21b extends form a thick portion 21c that is thicker than the other portions of the first long plate portion 21a and the second long plate portion 21b. The surface of the base end of the second long plate portion 21b opposite the groove portion 23 forms an inclined surface 21d that gradually moves away from the first long plate portion 21a in the thickness direction of the first long plate portion 21a toward the opening direction of the groove portion 23. A plurality of plate-shaped reinforcing ribs 21e, with their plate surfaces facing the longitudinal direction of the second long plate portion 21b, are integrally provided at intervals in the direction of the rotation axis X (the longitudinal direction of the second long plate portion 21b) on the surface of the base end of the second long plate portion 21b facing the groove 23. The plurality of reinforcing ribs 21e are integrally connected to the first long plate portion 21a from the groove 23 side.

[0030] First and second rotation shafts 25a, 25b are integrally provided at both longitudinal ends (direction of rotation axis X) of the thick portions 21c of the flap main bodies 21 of the driving flap 19a and the driven flap 19b, protruding outward in the direction of rotation axis X (longitudinal direction). The first rotation shaft 25a protrudes from the inner end of the flap main body 21 in the vehicle width direction, and the second rotation shaft 25b protrudes from the outer end of the flap main body 21 in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the rotation axes X of the flaps 19a, 19b are located at the thick portions 21c. In addition, plate-shaped protrusions 27, with their plate surfaces facing the vehicle width direction, are integrally formed at both transverse end portions of the flap main bodies 21 of the driving flap 19a and the driven flap 19b. A link shaft portion 29 is integrally provided at the outer peripheral end of the protruding portion 27 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the drive flap 19a and the driven flap 19b to protrude outward in the direction of the rotation axis X of the flap main body portion 21. Furthermore, a stopper portion 31 is integrally provided at the protruding portion 27 of the drive flap 19a, approximately 180 degrees opposite to the link shaft portion 29, to protrude outward in the direction of the rotation axis X of the flap main body portion 21. This stopper portion 31 is connected to the first rotation shaft portion 25a. The protruding portion 27 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction protrudes more widely than the protruding portion 27 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. A pair of retaining projections 25c are formed at the tips of the second rotation shaft portions 25b of the drive flap 19a and the driven flap 19b to protrude in opposite directions by 180 degrees. Furthermore, gate marks (not shown) are formed on the tip surfaces of the second rotary shaft portions 25b of the driving flap 19a and the driven flap 19b.

[0031] The driven flap 19b does not have a stopper portion 31. The first rotating shaft portion 25a of the driven flap 19b is thinner and shorter than the first rotating shaft portion 25a of the drive flap 19a. An engagement piece portion 25d is protruded from a part of the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating shaft portion 25a of the driven flap 19b in the circumferential direction. The other configurations of the drive flap 19a and the driven flap 19b are the same.

[0032] The plurality of follower flaps 19b have the same configuration as one another except for the length of the flap main body portion 21 in the longitudinal direction.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the first rotating shaft 25a of the driven flap 19b is inserted into the shaft hole 15d of the first bearing wall portion 15c of the frame main body 15. The engagement piece 25d of the driven flap 19b is located on the side of the first bearing wall portion 15c opposite the first to third openings 17a to 17c, and prevents the first rotating shaft 25a from coming out of the shaft hole 15d. Although not shown, the first rotating shaft 25a of the driving flap 19a is also inserted into the shaft hole 15d of the first bearing wall portion 15c of the frame main body 15. In addition, the link shafts 29 of all the flaps 19a, 19b are inserted into the insertion hole 33a of the link member 33. This allows the multiple flaps 19a, 19b to move in an interlocking manner so as to face in a common direction. The link member 33 is made of resin such as glass fiber reinforced polyamide (PA-GF: polyamide glass fiber), glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF: polypropylene glass fiber), etc. In Fig. 14, the flap main body 21 and the link member 33 in a closed state, which will be described later, are shown by dashed dotted lines.

[0034] 11 and 12 show only the configuration around the driven flap 19b, but the second rotating shaft portions 25b of the flaps 19a and 19b fit into the notches 15k of the second bearing wall portion 15j of the frame main body 15, with their tips protruding into the space inside the curved wall portion 15h. The curved wall portions 15h and the connecting wall portion 15i are covered from the front side by a cover member 35. In this state, the retaining projections 25c of the flaps 19a and 19b are positioned on the side of the second bearing wall portion 15j opposite the first to third openings 17a to 17c, preventing the rotating shaft portions 25a and 25b from coming off the notches 15k. The cover member 35 is made of resin such as glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP-GF: polypropylene glass fiber).

[0035] The grille shutter 13 configured as described above is switched between an open state in which the first to third openings 17a to 17c of the frame 14 are opened and a closed state in which the first to third openings 17a to 17c of the frame 14 are opened by rotating the flaps 19a, 19b about a predetermined rotation axis X by driving an actuator (not shown). Although only the driven flap 19b is shown in Figures 9 and 10, the drive flap 19a operates in the same manner.

[0036] When the first to third openings 17a to 17c of the frame 14 are in an open state, as shown in FIG. 9, the grooves 23 of the flaps 19a and 19b are positioned above the first long plate portion 21a and open toward the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, snow and rainwater are less likely to accumulate in the grooves 23 than when the grooves 23 are open toward the front of the vehicle in the open state. Furthermore, in the open state, the rearward protrusion length of the first long plate portion 21a of the flaps 19a and 19b is shorter than that of the second long plate portion 21b. Furthermore, the surface of the first long plate portion 21a facing the grooves 23 is inclined downward toward the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, in the open state, water in the grooves 23 is more likely to drain down the first long plate portion 21a.

[0037] Furthermore, in this open state, air AR flows from the front of the vehicle toward the rear along the flaps 19a, 19b. At this time, because the lower surface of the first long plate portion 21a is formed substantially flat and the groove portion 23 opens toward the rear of the vehicle, the flow of air AR is less likely to be obstructed by unevenness of the first long plate portion 21a or the groove portion 23. Therefore, the flow resistance of the air AR can be reduced when the first long plate portion 21a is in the open state. Furthermore, because the reinforcing rib 21e is disposed on the surface of the second long plate portion 21b facing the groove portion 23 and faces toward the rear of the vehicle in the open state, the reinforcing rib 21e is less likely to obstruct the flow of the air AR. Therefore, the flow resistance of the air AR can be reduced when the first long plate portion 21a is in the open state. Furthermore, the surface opposite the groove portion 23 at the base end of the second long plate portion 21b forms a smooth inclined surface 21d, so the flow resistance of the air AR in the open state can be reduced compared to when a step is provided on the side opposite the groove portion 23 at the base end of the second long plate portion 21b.

[0038] In addition, in the open state, the grooves 23 and reinforcing ribs 21e of the flaps 19a, 19b are not visible from diagonally above and in front of the vehicle (for example, from viewpoint S1 shown in FIG. 9), so the grill shutter 13 looks good.

[0039] The flaps 19a and 19b in the open state can be rotated 90 degrees around the rotation axis X to be in the closed state shown in FIG.

[0040] When the first to third openings 17a to 17c of the frame 14 are closed, the grooves 23 of the flaps 19a, 19b are positioned rearward of the first long plate portion 21a and open downward, as shown in Fig. 10. Therefore, snow and rainwater are less likely to accumulate in the grooves 23 than when the grooves 23 are open forward of the vehicle in the closed state. Furthermore, even if snow or rainwater does adhere to the grooves 23, closing the first to third openings 17a to 17c of the frame 14 allows the snow and rainwater to fall and be easily discharged from the grooves 23. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the weight of the flaps 19a, 19b from increasing due to freezing of snow and rainwater adhered to the flaps 19a, 19b, which would prevent the flaps 19a, 19b from being unable to move smoothly.

[0041] Furthermore, in the closed state, the groove portion 23 of the grill shutter 13 cannot be seen from diagonally above and in front of the vehicle (for example, viewpoint S2 shown in Figure 10), and the reinforcing rib 21e is also difficult to see from diagonally above and in front of the vehicle (for example, viewpoint S2 shown in Figure 10), so the grill shutter 13 looks good.

[0042] In addition, in the closed state, the lower ends of the second long plate portions 21b of the flaps 19a, 19b, except for the flap 19b located lowest in each of the first to third openings 17a to 17c, abut against the upper ends of the first long plate portions 21a of the lower flaps 19a, 19b from the rear of the vehicle.

[0043] To assemble the grill shutter 13 configured as described above, first, the frame body 15 and the link member 33 are set in an assembly jig (not shown) so that the link member 33 is positioned on the back side of the frame body 15 between the first to third openings 17a to 17c on both sides of the vehicle width direction.

[0044] Then, the flaps 19a, 19b are tilted, and the inner ends of the flaps 19a, 19b in the vehicle width direction are inserted into the first to third openings 17a-17c from the front side of the frame main body 15. The first rotating shaft portions 25a of the flaps 19a, 19b are moved to the back side while abutting against the first bearing wall portion 15c, and abut against the open-side surfaces of the receiving portions 15f. Then, from this state, the second rotating shaft portions 25b of the flaps 19a, 19b are brought close to the second bearing wall portion 15j of the frame main body 15 from the front side, and the first rotating shaft portions 25a of the flaps 19a, 19b are slid and inserted into the shaft holes 15d of the first bearing wall portion 15c of the frame main body 15, and the link shaft portions 29 of the flaps 19a, 19b are inserted into the insertion holes 33a of the link members 33. At this time, the engaging piece 25d of the follower flap 19b passes through the notched recess 15e.

[0045] Then, the second rotary shaft portions 25b of the flaps 19a and 19b are inserted into the notch portions 15k of the second bearing wall portion 15j from the front side (the open side of the notch portions 15k) and fitted in. As a result, the retaining projections 25c of the flaps 19a and 19b are housed in the inner space of the curved wall portion 15h.

[0046] Thereafter, the cover member 35 is attached to the frame main body 15 so as to cover the curved wall portions 15h and the connecting wall portion 15i from the front side. As a result, the cutout portion 15k of the second bearing wall portion 15j is closed by the cover member 35, and the second rotating shaft portion 25b is prevented from coming out of the cutout portion 15k of the second bearing wall portion 15j.

[0047] Therefore, according to this embodiment, a portion of the flap main body portion 21 has a double structure consisting of the first long plate portion 21a and the second long plate portion 21b, thereby increasing the rigidity of the entire flap main body portion 21 compared to when the flap main body portion 21 is constructed from a single plate portion.

[0048] Furthermore, the flap main body 21 and the first and second rotation shafts 25a, 25b can be integrally molded by injection molding, eliminating the need to provide an end piece having a shaft separately from the flap main body 21 as in Patent Document 2. This reduces the number of parts and the assembly time, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0049] Furthermore, since the first long plate portion 21a and the second long plate portion 21b are reinforced by the reinforcing ribs 21e, the rigidity of the flap main body portion 21 can be further increased.

[0050] Furthermore, because the second rotating shaft portion 25b having a gate mark protrudes from the thick-walled portion 21c, the thick-walled portion 21c facilitates quick distribution of resin in the longitudinal direction of the flaps 19a, 19b, uniforming the degree of resin filling and the cooling and hardening of the resin in the longitudinal direction of the flaps 19a, 19b, reducing the difference in resin shrinkage in the longitudinal direction and suppressing molding deformation of the flaps 19a, 19b. Furthermore, by starting to fill the thick-walled portion 21c with resin before the widthwise ends of the first long plate portion 21a and the tip of the second long plate portion 21b, the difference in shrinkage between the resin constituting the widthwise ends of the first long plate portion 21a and the tip of the second long plate portion 21b and the resin constituting the thick-walled portion 21c is reduced, thereby suppressing molding deformation of the flaps 19a, 19b.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the first and second rotation shaft portions 25a, 25b are protruding from the flap main body portion 21. However, bearing holes may be formed at both ends of the flap main body portion 21 in the direction of the rotation axis X, and shaft portions that engage with the bearing portions may be protruding from the frame 14.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the grille shutter 13 is provided in the intake air flow path 11 that guides cooling air to the radiator 7 for cooling the engine of the automobile 1. However, the present invention is also applicable to the case where the grille shutter 13 is provided in the intake air flow path 11 that guides cooling air to a condenser that serves as a heat exchanger that cools the refrigerant of an air conditioner. [Industrial Applicability]

[0053] The present invention comprises a frame having an opening and a long plastic flap that is adapted to open and close the opening in the frame by rotating around a predetermined rotation axis, and is useful as a grill shutter that opens and closes an intake flow path that guides cooling air taken in from the front of the vehicle to a heat exchanger. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1. Automobiles (vehicles) 7 Radiator (heat exchanger) 11 Intake flow path 13 Grill shutter 14 frames 17a First opening 17b Second opening 17c Third Opening 19a,19b Flap 21 Flap body 21a 1st long plate part 21b 2nd long plate part 21c Thick wall part 21d Slope 21e Reinforcement rib 23 Groove 25a first rotating shaft 25b second rotating shaft X rotation axis

Claims

1. A grill shutter comprising: a frame (14) having openings (17a-17c); and long resin flaps (19a, 19b) that rotate about a predetermined rotation axis (X) to open and close the openings (17a-17c) of the frame (14), the grill shutter opening and closing an intake air flow path (11) that guides cooling air taken in from the front of a vehicle (1) to a heat exchanger (7), The flaps (19a, 19b) comprise a flap body (21) having a substantially flat first long plate portion (21a) extending in the direction of the rotation axis (X), and a second long plate portion (21b) extending integrally over the entire longitudinal direction in a widthwise middle of the first long plate portion (21a) so as to protrude beyond the first long plate portion (21a) in a direction in which the groove portion (23) opens to one side in the width direction of the first long plate portion (21a), and between the first long plate portion (21a) and the second long plate portion (21b). At both ends of the flap body portion (21) in the direction of the rotation axis (X), shaft portions (25a, 25b) are integrally provided to protrude outward in the direction of the rotation axis (X), or bearing holes are formed, When the openings (17a to 17c) of the frame (14) are in an open state, the groove (23) is located above the first long plate (21a) and is open toward the rear of the vehicle (1); A grill shutter characterized in that, when the openings (17a-17c) of the frame (14) are in a closed state, the groove portion (23) is located behind the vehicle (1) of the first long plate portion (21a) and opens downward.

2. The grill shutter according to claim 1, A grill shutter characterized in that a plurality of reinforcing ribs (21e) are integrally provided on the surface of the second long plate portion (21b) facing the groove portion (23) at intervals in the direction of the rotation axis (X) and are integrally connected to the first long plate portion (21a).

3. The grill shutter according to claim 1, A grill shutter characterized in that the surface of the second long plate portion (21b) at the base end thereof opposite the groove portion (23) forms an inclined surface (21d) that gradually moves away from the first long plate portion (21a) in the thickness direction of the first long plate portion (21a) toward the opening direction of the groove portion (23).

4. The grill shutter according to claim 1, the flaps (19a, 19b) are injection-molded products, a base end of the second elongated plate portion (21b) and an extension portion of the first elongated plate portion (21a) from which the second elongated plate portion (21b) is provided form a thick-walled portion (21c) that is thicker than other portions of the first elongated plate portion (21a) and the second elongated plate portion (21b), Shaft portions (25a, 25b) are integrally provided at both ends of the flap body portion (21) in the direction of the rotation axis (X) to protrude outward in the direction of the rotation axis (X), The grill shutter is characterized in that the rotation axis (X) is located in the thick portion (21c).

Images