Grille shutter device

Abstract

To simply open and close an opening of a vehicle front part.SOLUTION: This grille shutter device 30 is applied to a vehicle 10 for introducing air into a vehicle body from an opening 14 extending in the vehicle width direction in a vehicle front part. The grille shutter device 30 includes a rotating body 32, and the rotating body 32 is disposed in the air introduction path 16 and is rotatable about an axis CX extending in the vehicle width direction. The pivoting body 32 includes a closing plate 34 extending in the vehicle-width direction, a facing plate 38 provided so as to face the closing plate 34, a pair of side plates 40L and 40R that connect the closing plate 34 and the facing plate 38 at both ends in the vehicle-width direction, and a plurality of grid plates that connect the closing plate 34 and the facing plate 38 at intervals in the vehicle-width direction between the pair of side plates 40L and 40R. The pivoting body 32 is pivoted by an actuator about the axial center CX so as to adopt a collapsed orientation FP in which the closure plate 34 closes off the opening 14, and a raised orientation RP in which the plural grid plates appear at the back of the opening 14 in a vehicle front view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification discloses a grille shutter device that opens and closes an opening in the front of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A grille opening is provided at the front end of the vehicle to introduce wind into the vehicle body, and a grille shutter device is provided behind the grille opening to adjust the amount of wind that flows into the vehicle body.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a grille shutter device having multiple fins. In this grille shutter device, the multiple fins are provided so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the vehicle width direction and are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. When the multiple fins are in the fully closed position, the upper and lower tips of vertically adjacent fins overlap to close the opening. On the other hand, when the multiple fins are in the fully open position, the vertically adjacent fins are parallel to each other to open the opening. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-51864 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The grille shutter device described in Patent Document 1 requires multiple fins to be linked together to open and close the opening, which can make the device configuration complicated. There is a demand for a grille shutter device that can simply open and close an opening that extends in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle.

[0006] This specification discloses a grille shutter device that allows for the simple opening and closing of an opening in the front of a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The grille shutter device disclosed in this specification is a grille shutter device applied to a vehicle that introduces air into a vehicle body through an opening extending in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle, and includes a rotating body disposed in the air introduction path and rotatable about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction. The rotating body includes a closing plate extending in the vehicle width direction, an opposing plate provided opposite the closing plate, a pair of side plates connecting both ends of the closing plate and the opposing plate in the vehicle width direction, and a plurality of lattice plates connecting the closing plate and the opposing plate at intervals in the vehicle width direction between the pair of side plates. The rotating body is rotated about the axis by an actuator so that the closing plate takes a reclined position in which it closes the opening and a raised position in which the plurality of lattice plates appear behind the opening in a front view of the vehicle.

[0008] According to this configuration, the opening can be fully closed when the rotating body is in the reclined position, and fully opened when the rotating body is in the raised position, thereby simplifying the configuration of the grille shutter device. Furthermore, since the opening is closed by one surface of the closure plate, deterioration of aerodynamic performance while the vehicle is traveling can be suppressed. Furthermore, when the rotating body is in the reclined position (fully closed state of the opening), multiple lattice plates are positioned behind the closure plate at intervals in the vehicle width direction, thereby suppressing rearward deflection and deformation of the closure plate due to wind as the vehicle travels. Furthermore, when the rotating body is in the raised position (fully open state of the opening), multiple lattice plates appear at the back of the opening, thereby suppressing the intrusion of foreign objects into the vehicle body from the outside.

[0009] In the grille shutter device of the present disclosure, the opposing plate of the rotating body may be inclined upward from the front to the rear when the rotating body is in the upright position.

[0010] With this configuration, the wind from traveling that is taken in through the opening can be guided upward inside the vehicle body by the opposing plate of the rotating body. Also, with this configuration, when the rotating body transitions from an upright position (a state in which the opening is fully open) to a reclined position (a state in which the opening is fully closed), the wind from traveling hits the front part of the opposing plate before it hits the rear part of the opposing plate, which promotes the rotation of the rotating body, and therefore the torque required of the actuator that rotates the rotating body (the output torque required of the actuator) can be reduced.

[0011] In the grille shutter device of the present disclosure, the rotating body may further include an air guide plate that is arranged between each of the plurality of lattice plates and that inclines upward from the front to the rear when the rotating body is in the upright position.

[0012] With this configuration, the wind drawn in through the opening can be guided upward inside the vehicle body by the multiple air guide plates of the rotating body. Furthermore, with this configuration, when the rotating body transitions from an upright position (a state in which the opening is fully open) to a reclined position (a state in which the opening is fully closed), the wind strikes the front of the air guide plate before striking the rear of the air guide plate, thereby promoting the rotation of the rotating body, thereby reducing the torque required by the actuator that rotates the rotating body. Furthermore, with this configuration, the multiple air guide plates can improve the rigidity of the rotating body.

[0013] In the grill shutter device of the present disclosure, the axis of the rotating body may be located between the closing plate and the opposing plate, and the front end of the opposing plate in the upright position of the rotating body may approach the underside of the air inlet passage when the rotating body transitions from the reclined position to the upright position.

[0014] This configuration reduces the torque required by the actuator to rotate the rotating body compared to when the axis of the rotating body is on the opposing plate. Also, when the rotating body transitions from a reclined position to an upright position, the front end of the opposing plate is expected to push any foreign matter that has entered the underside of the air introduction passage forward and expel it from the opening.

[0015] In the grill shutter device of the present disclosure, the rotating body may include a pair of rods extending outward in the vehicle width direction from each of the pair of side plates and having the axis, and at least one of the pair of rods may be rotated by the actuator.

[0016] According to this configuration, the rotation of the rotating body is realized by driving at least one of the pair of rods. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, opening and closing of an opening in the front of a vehicle can be achieved simply. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a rotating body 32 of the grille shutter device and its surroundings, showing the reclined position FP of the rotating body 32. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a rotating body 32 of the grille shutter device, showing the rotating body 32 in a raised position RP. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing an intermediate position MP of a rotating body 32. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the standing position RP of the rotating body 32. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing another rotating body 32A in a raised position RP. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, terms indicating directions and orientations, such as front, rear, left, right, up, down, etc., refer to directions and orientations relative to the vehicle. In each drawing, the arrow FR points forward, the arrow UP points upward, and the arrow RH points rightward.

[0020] 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a rotating body 32 and its surroundings of a grille shutter device 30 mounted on a vehicle 10, and shows the reclined position FP of the rotating body 32. FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3 to 5, which will be described later, show a left side view of the rotating body 32 (rotating body 32A in FIG. 5) and cross sections of members around the rotating body 32.

[0021] The vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle (BEV) equipped with a battery that supplies power to a motor as a power source. The type of vehicle 10 is not limited, and the vehicle 10 may be, for example, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), an engine vehicle, or the like.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, a front panel 12 is provided at the front end of a vehicle 10. The front panel 12 is provided with an opening 14 for introducing wind generated by running into the vehicle body (power unit compartment). The opening 14 extends in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction of the vehicle) at the lower part of the front end of the vehicle. The opening 14 is also called a grill opening.

[0023] An air introduction passage 16 is provided behind the opening 14. A rotating body 32 of a grille shutter device 30 is disposed in front of the air introduction passage 16. The rear portion of the air introduction passage 16 extends rearward and upward, and a radiator 100 is disposed behind the air introduction passage 16. Most of the radiator 100, including its upper half, is located above the opening 14.

[0024] The grille shutter device 30 is a device for adjusting the amount of wind introduced into the vehicle body. When the opening 14 is opened by the grille shutter device 30, wind (outside air) flows from the opening 14 into the air introduction passage 16 and is guided to the radiator 100. On the other hand, when the opening 14 is closed by the grille shutter device 30, the flow of wind into the air introduction passage 16 is blocked.

[0025] The grille shutter device 30 includes a rotating body 32 that is rotatable about an axis CX that extends in the vehicle width direction. The rotating body 32 can take a number of positions, including a reclined position FP in which the opening 14 is fully closed, and an upright position RP (see the dashed line in FIG. 1) in which the opening 14 is fully open.

[0026] 2 is a perspective view showing the rotating body 32 of the grille shutter device 30, illustrating the raised position RP of the rotating body 32. The rotating body 32 includes a closing plate 34, an opposing plate 38, a pair of side plates 40L, 40R, and a plurality of lattice plates 45. The closing plate 34 extends in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction of the vehicle) with a constant width. The closing plate 34 has a design surface 36 that appears at the front of the vehicle 10 when the rotating body 32 is in the reclined position FP (see FIG. 1).

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the opposing plate 38 is provided opposite the closing plate 34. The opposing plate 38 extends in the vehicle width direction with a constant width that is narrower than the closing plate 34. A pair of side plates 40L, 40R connect both ends of the closing plate 34 and the opposing plate 38 in the vehicle width direction. A plurality of lattice plates 45 connect the closing plate 34 and the opposing plate 38 between the pair of side plates 40L, 40R at intervals in the vehicle width direction. Air flow paths 46 are formed between the side plate 40L and the lattice plate 45, between adjacent lattice plates 45, and between the lattice plate 45 and the side plate 40R, through which the running wind (air) taken in from the opening 14 (see Figure 1) flows.

[0028] The rotating body 32 includes a rotating shaft 50 having an axis CX. The rotating shaft 50 penetrates the side plate 40L, the plurality of lattice plates 45, and the side plate 40R, and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 50 is fixed to the inner surfaces of the through holes of the side plate 40L, the plurality of lattice plates 45, and the side plate 40R. Hereinafter, the portions of the rotating shaft 50 that extend outward in the vehicle width direction from each of the pair of side plates 40L, 40R will be referred to as rods 51L, 51R. The grille shutter device 30 includes bearings (not shown) that rotatably support the two rods 51L, 51R (the pair of rods 51L, 51R).

[0029] The grille shutter device 30 includes an actuator 90 that rotates the rotating body 32 about an axis CX. The actuator 90 drives at least one of the pair of rods 51L, 51R. In this embodiment, the actuator 90 drives the rod 51L as shown in FIG. 2. For example, the actuator 90 includes a motor and a gear, and a ring-shaped gear (not shown) is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the rod 51L. The actuator 90 rotates the rotating body 32 by transmitting the driving force of the motor to the ring-shaped gear of the rod 51L via the gear. The actuator 90 may be controlled by a controller (not shown) that includes a microcomputer.

[0030] In this embodiment, the rotation shafts 50 are provided between the side plate 40L and the lattice plate 45, between adjacent lattice plates 45, and between the lattice plate 45 and the side plate 40R, but these rotation shaft portions may be omitted. In other words, the rotation shafts 50 may be composed of only a pair of rods 51L, 51R.

[0031] 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing an intermediate position MP of the rotating body 32. The intermediate position MP is a position between the reclined position FP and the upright position RP, and is a position in which the opening 14 is partially open. There is not just one intermediate position MP, but a plurality of intermediate positions MP in which the reclining angle of the rotating body 32 differs depending on the degree to which the opening 14 is opened. In addition to the reclined position FP and the upright position RP, the actuator 90 can form a plurality of intermediate positions MP in which the reclining angle of the rotating body 32 differs.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the raised position RP of the rotating body 32. In Figs. 3 and 4 and Fig. 5, which will be described later, thick arrows indicate the flow of wind caused by running.

[0033] When the actuator 90 (see FIG. 2) drives the rotating shaft 50 counterclockwise (ccw), the rotating body 32 rotates in a tilting direction F (see FIG. 3). On the other hand, when the actuator 90 drives the rotating shaft 50 clockwise (cw), the rotating body 32 rotates in a rising direction R. When the rotating body 32 is in the tilted position FP, the closure plate 34 closes the opening 14, as shown in FIG. 1. When the rotating body 32 is in the raised position RP, multiple lattice plates 45 appear at the back of the opening 14 when viewed from the front of the vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, the opposing plate 38 of the rotating body 32 is inclined upward from the front to the rear when the rotating body 32 is in the raised position RP. The axis CX of the rotating body 32 is located between the closure plate 34 and the opposing plate 38. The front end 38F (see Fig. 4) of the opposing plate 38 when the rotating body 32 is in the raised position RP approaches the lower surface 18 of the air introduction passage 16 when the rotating body 32 transitions from the reclined position FP to the raised position RP (when the rotating body 32 rotates in the raised direction R in Fig. 3). The axis CX of the rotating body 32 is positioned so that the front end 38F of the opposing plate 38 is located in this manner.

[0035] Next, the effects of the grille shutter device 30 of the embodiment described above will be described.

[0036] According to the embodiment described above, the opening 14 can be fully closed when the rotating body 32 is in the reclined position FP (see FIG. 1 ), and can be fully opened when the rotating body 32 is in the raised position RP, thereby simplifying the configuration of the grille shutter device 30. The opening 14 at the front of the vehicle can be opened and closed in a simple manner. Furthermore, since the opening 14 is closed by one surface (the design surface 36) of the closing plate 34, deterioration of aerodynamic performance while the vehicle is traveling can be suppressed. Furthermore, when the rotating body 32 is in the reclined position FP (when the opening 14 is fully closed), multiple lattice plates 45 are positioned behind the closing plate 34 at intervals in the vehicle width direction, thereby suppressing rearward deflection of the closing plate 34 due to wind while the vehicle is traveling. Furthermore, when the rotating body 32 is in the raised position RP (when the opening 14 is fully open), multiple lattice plates 45 appear at the back of the opening 14, thereby suppressing the intrusion of foreign objects into the vehicle body from the outside.

[0037] In the embodiment described above, the opposing plate 38 of the rotating body 32 is inclined upward from the front to the rear when the rotating body 32 is in the raised position RP, as shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, the traveling wind (indicated by the thick arrow in Fig. 4) taken in through the opening 14 can be guided upward inside the vehicle body by the opposing plate 38. A relatively large amount of traveling wind can be guided to the radiator 100.

[0038] 3, when the rotating body 32 rotates from the raised position RP (the state in which the opening 14 is fully open) in the tilting direction F, the traveling wind (indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. 3) strikes the front part of the opposing plate 38 before the rear part of the opposing plate 38, thereby facilitating the rotation of the rotating body 32. Therefore, the torque required of the actuator 90 to rotate the rotating body 32 (the output torque required of the actuator 90) can be reduced.

[0039] In this upwardly inclined configuration of the opposing plate 38, when the rotating body 32 rotates in the rising direction R to assume the upright position RP, it is necessary to rotate the rotating body 32 against the traveling wind hitting the front part of the opposing plate 38, which has the disadvantage of increasing the torque required by the actuator 90. However, when the rotating body 32 rotates in the rising direction R, the area over which the traveling wind hits the closure plate 34 gradually decreases in accordance with the rotation, and the area of ​​the air flow path 46 (see FIG. 2) relative to the opening 14 gradually increases, so the output torque required by the actuator 90 is relatively small. On the other hand, when the rotating body 32 rotates in the falling direction F, the area over which the traveling wind hits the closure plate 34 gradually increases in accordance with the rotation, and the area of ​​the air flow path 46 relative to the opening 14 gradually decreases, so the output torque required by the actuator 90 is relatively large. That is, in the rotation in the tilting direction F, the rotating body 32 needs to be rotated against the traveling wind hitting the closure plate 34, so the torque required by the actuator 90 is relatively large. Therefore, when the rotating body 32 rotates in the tilting direction F, the rotation of the rotating body 32 is promoted by the front part of the opposing plate 38, so that the torque required by the actuator 90 can be reduced.

[0040] 4, the axis CX of the rotating body 32 is located between the closure plate 34 and the opposing plate 38. The axis CX is located slightly above the opposing plate 38. Therefore, the torque required by the actuator 90 to rotate the rotating body 32 can be reduced compared to when the axis CX is located at the opposing plate 38. Note that the axis CX of the rotating body 32 may be located at or near the intermediate position between the lower end of the closure plate 34 and the upper end of the opposing plate 38 when the rotating body 32 is in the raised position RP.

[0041] In the embodiment described above, as shown in Fig. 3, when the rotating body 32 rotates in the rising direction R to assume the rising position RP, the front end 38F of the opposing plate 38 approaches the lower surface 18 of the air introduction passage 16. Therefore, when the rotating body 32 rotates in the rising direction R, the front end 38F of the opposing plate 38 is expected to push forward the foreign object 200 that has entered the lower surface 18 of the air introduction passage 16, causing it to be discharged from the opening 14. Fig. 3 shows the foreign object 200 rolling forward.

[0042] The portion of the lower surface 18 of the air introduction passage 16 that the front end 38F of the opposing plate 38 approaches may be inclined downward from the rear to the front. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 3, the portion of the lower surface 18 of the air introduction passage 16 located in front of the rotating body 32 in the upright position RP may be formed as a downward surface 19 that is inclined downward from the rear to the front. In this way, the foreign object 200 rolls forward, making it easier for the foreign object 200 to be discharged from the opening 14.

[0043] Next, the rotating body of another grill shutter device will be described. Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the raised position RP of rotating body 32A of another grill shutter device 30A. This rotating body 32A differs from the rotating body 32 described above in that it has a plurality of air guide plates 70.

[0044] The air guide plates 70 are provided between the side plate 40L and the lattice plate 45 (see FIG. 2), between adjacent lattice plates 45, and between the lattice plate 45 and the side plate 40R. As shown in FIG. 5, the multiple air guide plates 70 are inclined upward from the front to the rear when the rotating body 32 is in the upright position RP. In this embodiment, the multiple air guide plates 70 are provided above the axis CX and near the middle between the closure plate 34 and the opposing plate 38.

[0045] 5, with this rotating body 32A, the traveling wind (indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. 5) taken in through the opening 14 can be guided upward inside the vehicle body by the opposing plate 38 and multiple air guide plates 70. A relatively large amount of traveling wind can be guided to the radiator 100.

[0046] Furthermore, with this rotating body 32A, when the rotating body 32A rotates from the upright position RP (a state in which the opening 14 is fully open) to the reclining direction F (see FIG. 3), the traveling wind strikes the front portions of the opposing plate 38 and the multiple air guide plates 70 before striking the rear portions thereof, thereby facilitating the rotation of the rotating body 32. This reduces the torque required by the actuator 90 to rotate the rotating body 32A. Furthermore, with this rotating body 32A, the multiple air guide plates 70 can improve the rigidity of the rotating body 32A. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10 vehicle, 12 front panel, 14 opening (grill opening), 16 air inlet passage (inlet passage), 18 underside, 19 descending surface, 30, 30A grill shutter device, 32, 32A rotating body, 34 closing plate, 36 design surface, 38 opposing plate, 38F front end, 40L, 40R side plate, 45 lattice plate, 46 air flow path, 50 rotating shaft, 51L, 51R rod, 70 air guide plate, 90 actuator, 100 radiator, 200 foreign object, CX axis center, FP fallen position, MP intermediate position, RP raised position, F fallen direction, R raised direction.

Claims

1. A grille shutter device applied to a vehicle that introduces air into a vehicle body from an opening extending in a vehicle width direction at a front portion of the vehicle, a rotating body that is disposed in the air introduction passage and is rotatable about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction, The rotating body is a closure plate extending in the vehicle width direction; an opposing plate provided opposite the closing plate; a pair of side plates connecting both ends of the closing plate and the opposing plate in the vehicle width direction; a plurality of lattice plates spaced apart in the vehicle width direction between the pair of side plates and connecting the closing plate and the opposing plate; The rotating body is rotated around the axis by an actuator, a collapsed position in which the closure plate closes the opening; and taking an upright position in which the plurality of lattice plates appear at the back of the opening when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Grill shutter device.

2. The grille shutter device according to claim 1, The opposing plate of the rotating body is inclined upward from the front to the rear when the rotating body is in an upright position. Grill shutter device.

3. The grille shutter device according to claim 1, The rotating body is The fan further includes a wind guide plate that is disposed between each of the plurality of lattice plates and inclines upward from the front to the rear when the rotating body is in the upright position. Grill shutter device.

4. A grille shutter device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The axis of the rotating body is located between the closing plate and the opposing plate, a front end of the opposing plate in the upright posture of the rotating body approaches a lower surface of the air introduction passage when the rotating body transitions from the reclined posture to the upright posture; Grill shutter device.

5. A grille shutter device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the rotating body includes a pair of rods extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the pair of side plates, respectively, and having the axis; At least one of the pair of rods is rotated by the actuator. Grill shutter device.

Images