Vehicle shutter device
A movable shutter member with a rearward guard member addresses the challenge of eliminating the grille by allowing airflow and preventing foreign objects, enhancing aerodynamics and design.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AISIN CORP
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-20
AI Technical Summary
Existing grille designs on vehicles serve both as a design surface and a means to prevent foreign objects, making it difficult to eliminate the grille while maintaining airflow and protection.
A shutter member that moves between closed and open positions, with a guard member positioned rearward to prevent foreign objects, allowing airflow and eliminating the need for a grille as a design surface.
Enables airflow and heat exchange while preventing foreign objects, enhancing aerodynamics and design aesthetics by replacing the grille with a shutter system.
Smart Images
Figure 2026083630000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a shutter device for a vehicle.
Background Art
[0002] Regarding a grille shutter device provided in an opening at the front of a vehicle, a shutter member capable of opening and closing the opening is disposed behind the grille with respect to the vehicle, and a technique for preventing foreign objects such as flying stones during vehicle travel from entering through the grille is known.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, the above prior art presupposes the existence of a grille that forms part of the design surface at the front of the vehicle, and it is difficult to eliminate the need for such a grille.
[0005] Therefore, on one side, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a shutter device for a vehicle that can take in traveling wind and eliminate the need for a grille that forms part of the design surface at the front of the vehicle.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] On one side, a shutter member provided in an opening at the front of a vehicle, the shutter member being movable between a first position and a second position where an opening area related to the opening is larger than the first position. A vehicle shutter device is provided, comprising a guard member provided further rearward than the shutter member when it is in the first position, which at least partially overlaps the opening when viewed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and which prevents foreign objects from entering the opening and moving toward the rear of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure makes it possible to provide a vehicle shutter device that allows for the intake of airflow while eliminating the need for a grille that forms part of the design surface of the front of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing the front structure of a vehicle, including the vehicle shutter device (shutter closed) of this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the front structure of a vehicle, including the vehicle shutter device (shutter open state) of this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the vehicle shutter device of this embodiment in its individual component state (assembled state), as seen from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the vehicle shutter device of this embodiment in its individual assembly state, as seen from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing a part of the vehicle shutter device of this embodiment, viewed from the rear of the vehicle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] The following describes each embodiment in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are merely examples and are not exhaustive. Furthermore, shapes and other details in the drawings may be partially exaggerated for illustrative purposes. Also, for clarity, in some cases, only a portion of parts with the same attribute are assigned reference numerals in the drawings.
[0010] Figures 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views showing the front structure of a vehicle, including the vehicle shutter device 1 of this embodiment. Figure 1 shows the shutter in the closed state (indicated as "closed state" in Figure 1), and Figure 2 shows the shutter in the open state (indicated as "open state" in Figure 2). Figure 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle shutter device 1 of this embodiment in its individual assembly state, viewed from the front of the vehicle, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the same individual assembly in its individual state, viewed from the rear of the vehicle. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a part of the vehicle shutter device 1 of this embodiment, viewed from the rear of the vehicle. Figures 1 and others show three orthogonal axes (X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis) in a right-handed coordinate system. The three-axis notation is common to Figures 2 and onward. The X direction corresponds to the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the Y direction corresponds to the vehicle's width direction, and the Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction. Note that the XY plane may correspond to the horizontal plane.
[0011] The vehicle shutter device 1 is installed in the opening 2 at the front of the vehicle. The front of the vehicle is designed by exterior parts such as the bumper 3. In this embodiment, as will be described later, a part of the vehicle shutter device 1 forms a part of the design surface of the front of the vehicle. The bumper 3 is supported by the vehicle frame member 4 via a bumper reinforcement or the like.
[0012] The vehicle shutter device 1 may have a substantially symmetrical configuration with respect to the vehicle body center in the vehicle width direction. The following description will mainly focus on the configuration of one side, but the other side may be similar.
[0013] The vehicle shutter device 1 includes a shutter frame 40, shutter fins 50, and a chipping guard 60.
[0014] The shutter frame 40 supports components of the vehicle shutter device 1, such as the shutter fins 50. The shutter frame 40 is attached to the bumper 3. The shutter frame 40 may be a single, integrated left and right component (i.e., symmetrical but a single, integrated left and right component). The shutter frame 40 may be attached to the bumper 3 via claw fitting and / or screw fastening, etc.
[0015] The shutter frame 40 has a frame main body 42 that forms an arrangement space where the shutter fins 50 and the chipping guard 60 are arranged. The arrangement space formed by the frame main body 42 is open on the front side of the vehicle and forms an opening corresponding to the opening 2 of the vehicle body. Also, the arrangement space formed by the frame main body 42 is open on the rear side of the vehicle. A radiator and a capacitor (capacitor for an air conditioner) may be provided on the rear side of the vehicle of the arrangement space formed by the frame main body 42.
[0016] Note that, on the shutter frame 40, a radar device 72, a drive motor 74 for the shutter fins 50, etc. may be supported.
[0017] The shutter fins 50 are provided at the opening 2 in the front part of the vehicle. The shutter fins 50 may be formed of resin or the like and have a planar main body 52. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the shutter fins 50 mean the main body 52.
[0018] The shutter fins 50 are movable between a closed position (an example of the first position) shown in FIG. 1 and an open position (an example of the second position) shown in FIG. 2. In the present embodiment, the shutter fins 50 are supported by the shutter frame 40 in a manner that they can rotate around a rotation axis 51. Then, the shutter fins 50 can move between the closed position shown in FIG. 1 and the open position shown in FIG. 2 by rotating around the rotation axis 51. Note that the rotation axis 51 extends in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the rotation axis 51 may be located within the arrangement range in the vehicle front-rear direction of the chipping guard 60. That is, when viewed in the vehicle width direction, the rotation axis 51 may overlap the chipping guard 60. Alternatively, the rotation axis 51 may be set behind the vehicle relative to the chipping guard 60. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the shutter fins 50 in two states of the closed position and the open position together.
[0019] Note that, in the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 5, the shutter fins 50 have shaft portions 510 that form the rotation axis 51 on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the main body 52. The shaft portions 510 are rotatably supported by the shutter frame 40.
[0020] When the shutter fin 50 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 1, it at least partially closes the opening 2 at the front of the vehicle. Thereby, the aerodynamic characteristics (e.g., Cd value) of the vehicle body can be enhanced. The shutter fin 50 preferably closes substantially the entire opening 2 at the front of the vehicle when in the closed position shown in FIG. 1. Here, "substantially the entire" is a concept that allows for gaps such as various clearances considering component tolerances, etc., and may be, for example, 80% or more of the opening area related to the opening 2.
[0021] When the shutter fin 50 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 1, it preferably forms part of the design surface at the front of the vehicle. Thereby, while enhancing the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle body, the appearance can be improved.
[0022] When the shutter fin 50 is in the open position shown in FIG. 2, it opens the opening 2 at the front of the vehicle. That is, when the shutter fin 50 is in the open position shown in FIG. 2, it significantly increases the opening area (effective opening area) related to the opening 2 compared to when in the closed position shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, when the shutter fin 50 is in the open position shown in FIG. 2, it can promote the flow of air toward the rear of the vehicle with respect to the running air taken in from the opening 2 at the front of the vehicle, and can enhance the heat exchange capacity of the radiator and condenser described above.
[0023] When the shutter fin 50 is in the open position shown in FIG. 2, it may be located above the chipping guard 60 described later. In this case, when the shutter fin 50 is in the open position shown in FIG. 2, when viewed in the vehicle front-rear direction, it can be located above the opening 2 without overlapping the opening 2. Thereby, the shutter fin 50 can be retracted to a closed position that does not obstruct the flow of running air taken in from the opening 2.
[0024] The chipping guard 60 is in the form of a wall portion that rises upward from the lower part of the frame body portion 42 of the shutter frame 40. The chipping guard 60 does not necessarily need to rise vertically, and may have a slight inclination with respect to the vertical direction.
[0025] The chipping guard 60 may be a separate component from the shutter frame 40, but preferably it is integrally molded with the shutter frame 40. For example, the chipping guard 60 is integrally molded with the shutter frame 40 from a material such as resin. In this case, the number of parts and manufacturing costs can be reduced.
[0026] The chipping guard 60 overlaps the opening 2 at least partially when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The chipping guard 60 may be provided in such a manner that it overlaps the shutter fin 50 in the closed position when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
[0027] The chipping guard 60 has the function of stopping foreign objects of a predetermined size or larger (such as flying stones or debris that may enter on the airflow) that enter through the opening 2 and move toward the rear of the vehicle. The predetermined size of the foreign objects is arbitrary and may be adapted to stop harmful foreign objects that could damage the radiator or condenser as described above.
[0028] The chipping guard 60 has a plurality of slits 62 that open in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The shape of the slits 62 is arbitrary. In this embodiment, the slits 62 are in the vertical direction, but they may be in the horizontal direction or in a grid pattern. The size of the slits 62 is arbitrary, but may be adapted so as to ensure the function of stopping foreign objects of a predetermined size or larger that enter through the opening 2 and move toward the rear of the vehicle without significantly obstructing the airflow toward the rear of the vehicle.
[0029] The chipping guard 60 is positioned further rearward than the shutter fin 50 when it is in the closed position. Therefore, when the shutter fin 50 is in the closed position, the chipping guard 60 is hidden by the shutter fin 50 when viewed from the front of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction.
[0030] In this embodiment, since the shutter fin 50 in the closed position closes the opening 2, the need for a grille (a grille that forms part of the design surface of the front of the vehicle) as in the prior art can be eliminated. As a result, it is also possible to form part of the design surface of the front of the vehicle with the shutter fin 50 and realize a design that cannot be achieved with a grille.
[0031] By the way, in this embodiment, where the grille is eliminated and the opening 2 is closed with a shutter fin 50, when the shutter fin 50 is in the open position, foreign objects may enter through the opening 2, which can be a problem.
[0032] In this regard, according to this embodiment, as described above, a chipping guard 60 is provided that functions when the shutter fin 50 is in the open position, so that any inconveniences that may occur when the shutter fin 50 is in the open position can be prevented.
[0033] Although each embodiment has been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to any particular embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope described in the claims. Furthermore, it is possible to combine all or more of the components of the embodiments described above.
[0034] With regard to the embodiments described above, the following additional information is disclosed.
[0035] [Note 1] A shutter member provided in an opening at the front of a vehicle, the shutter member being movable between a first position and a second position that makes the opening area of the opening larger than that of the first position, A vehicle shutter device comprising a guard member provided further rearward than the shutter member when it is in the first position, which at least partially overlaps the opening when viewed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and which prevents foreign objects from entering the opening and moving toward the rear of the vehicle.
[0036] [Note 2] The shutter member, when in the first position, forms part of the design surface of the front of the vehicle, as described in Appendix 1, for a vehicle shutter device.
[0037] [Note 3] The shutter member, when in the second position, is located above the guard member, in the vehicle shutter device described in Appendix 1 or 2.
[0038] [Note 4] The shutter member is rotatable between the first position and the second position by rotating around a rotation axis along the vehicle width direction. The vehicle shutter device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, wherein the rotating shaft is located in the vehicle longitudinal direction, either within the arrangement range of the guard member in the vehicle longitudinal direction or behind the guard member.
[0039] [Note 5] The system further includes a frame member that is attached to the bumper forming the front of the vehicle, The shutter member is supported by the frame member, The guard member is a vehicle shutter device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, integrally formed with the frame member. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0040] 1. Vehicle shutter device, 2. Opening, 3. Bumper, 40. Shutter frame (frame member), 50. Shutter fin (shutter member), 60. Chipping guard (guard member)
Claims
1. A shutter member provided in an opening at the front of a vehicle, the shutter member being movable between a first position and a second position that makes the opening area of the opening larger than that of the first position, A vehicle shutter device comprising a guard member provided further rearward than the shutter member when it is in the first position, which at least partially overlaps with the opening when viewed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and which prevents foreign objects from entering the opening and moving toward the rear of the vehicle.
2. The vehicle shutter device according to claim 1, wherein the shutter member, when in the first position, forms a part of the design surface of the front of the vehicle.
3. The vehicle shutter device according to claim 1, wherein the shutter member, when in the second position, is located above the guard member.
4. The system further includes a frame member that is attached to the bumper forming the front of the vehicle, The shutter member is rotatably supported by the frame member, The vehicle shutter device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guard member is integrally formed with the frame member.