Extruded flap for a device for blocking an air intake at the front end of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A flap (3) for a device (1) for blocking an air intake at the front end of a motor vehicle, said flap (3) comprising a flap body (31) obtained by extrusion, said flap body (31) comprising a front wall (310a) intended to be placed facing the air flow when said flap (3) is in a closed position, and a rear wall (310b) opposite said front wall (310a) and intended to be connected to at least one holding device (5c), said rear wall (310b) comprising a groove (312) extending coaxially with respect to said axis of rotation (A) of said flap (3), said front wall (310a) and said rear wall (310b) being connected edge to edge and defining an internal cavity (311), said flap (3) comprising a flap body (31) having a groove (312) extending coaxially with respect to said axis of rotation (A) of said flap (3), said front wall (310a) and said rear wall (310b) being connected edge to edge and defining an internal cavity (311), said flap (3) comprising a flap body (31) having a groove (312) extending coaxially with respect to said axis of rotation (A) of said flap (3), a flap (3) further comprising end pieces (30, 30') having an inner part (300) inserted into the cavity (311) of the flap body (31) and an outer part (301) protruding from the flap body (31), at least one end piece (30, 30') having a hook finger (306) protruding from the end piece (30, 30') along the rotation axis (A) and inserted into the groove (312) of the rear wall (310b), the hook finger (306) having at least one tooth (307) intended to be embedded in the groove (312), the tooth (307) being oriented so as to prevent the end piece (30, 30') from being pulled out of the flap body (31).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flap for a shutter device, and more particularly to a flap for a device for blocking an air intake at the front end of a motor vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] The front end of an automobile generally consists of two main air intakes, called the top and bottom roots, separated by a bumper beam. The automobile's heat exchangers, such as those used for cabin air conditioning and / or for cooling the engine, are generally located behind this bumper beam.

[0003] It is also known to position a support frame, more generally at the bottom root, in the path of the air passing through the main intake, which frame comprises a plurality of flaps mounted for pivoting about parallel axes and which, under the action of suitable control means, can assume a number of different angular positions between open and closed positions.

[0004] This results in a shutter device similar to a louvre blind that can regulate the flow rate of air passing through the air intake and reaching the heat exchangers. The effectiveness of these heat exchangers can therefore be optimised as required by modifying the amount of air they receive. Also, at high speeds, the flaps in the blocking position can improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle by reducing its drag coefficient.

[0005] The flaps of such shutter devices may in particular comprise an extruded flap body, at the ends of which end pieces are arranged that allow connection to a support frame. However, small manufacturing tolerances are necessary to ensure that these end pieces remain in place inside the flap body, or that the end pieces in place do not damage the flap body. This manufacturing quality is difficult to achieve and is costly due to the material and dimensions of the parts. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to overcome at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a flap that provides a good connection between the flap body and the end piece.

[0007] The invention therefore relates to a flap for a device for blocking an air inlet at the front end of a motor vehicle, said flap comprising a shaped flap body having an elongated shape, obtained by extrusion and extending along its axis of rotation, said flap body comprising a front wall intended to be placed facing the air flow when said flap is in the closed position, and a rear wall opposite said front wall and intended to be connected to at least one retaining device supported by said shutter device, said rear wall comprising a groove extending coaxially relative to said axis of rotation of said flap, said front wall and said rear wall being connected edge to edge and the flap further comprises an end piece at each of the ends of the flap body, the end piece comprising an inner portion inserted into the cavity of the flap body and an outer portion extending beyond the flap body, at least one end piece comprising a hook finger protruding from the end piece along the axis of rotation and inserted into the groove of the rear wall, the hook finger comprising at least one tooth intended to be embedded in the groove, the tooth being oriented such that the end piece cannot become detached from the flap body.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, the free ends of the hook fingers include chamfers oriented to facilitate insertion of the hook fingers into the grooves.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the flap body has within its cavity a central reinforcing wall extending along the axis of rotation and connecting the inner surface of the inner wall to the inner surface of the outer wall, the central wall dividing the central channel in two, the inner portion of the end piece having a slot for insertion of the central wall.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the central wall is disposed in vertical alignment with the groove to connect the bottom of the groove to the front wall.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the inner portion of the end piece comprises at least one support point on each of the inner surfaces of the outer walls forming the flap body.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the inner portion of the end piece has a cross-section that is complementary to the shape of the cavity in the flap body.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the inner portion of the end piece includes a blind recess that faces the inner surface of the outer wall when attached to the flap body.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the thickness of the sections forming the inner portion of the end piece varies from one section to another by less than 15%.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the end piece comprises, between its inner part and its outer part, a collar projecting perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the flap, said collar closing said end of the flap body.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the flap comprises an end piece at a first one of its ends and an end piece at a second one of its ends, the end piece at the first end having at its outer portion a pivot shaft coaxial with the rotation shaft, and the end piece at the second end having a pivot shaft coaxial with the rotation shaft and a control arm.

[0017] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description and drawings, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic front perspective view of a shutter device in a blocking position. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a control element. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a flap. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of one end of a flap. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the end piece. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a longitudinal section of one end of a flap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] In the various drawings, identical elements are provided with the same reference numbers.

[0020] The following embodiments are illustrative. Although reference is made to one or more embodiments in this specification, this does not necessarily mean that each reference refers to the same embodiment or that a feature applies only to a single embodiment. Individual features of different embodiments may be combined or substituted to provide other embodiments.

[0021] In this specification, certain elements or parameters may be designated with any ordinal number, such as, for example, a first element or a second element, and a first and a second parameter, and even a first and a second criterion, where the ordinal number is merely intended to distinguish between similar but non-identical elements or parameters or criteria. The ordinal number does not imply a preference of one element, parameter or criterion over another, and such numbers may be readily interchanged without departing from the scope of this specification. Similarly, the ordinal number does not imply any chronological order in the evaluation of any criteria, for example.

[0022] In Figures 1 and 2, an XYZ trihedron is used to indicate the viewing directions of each figure relative to one another. The axes of this trihedron may correspond to various orientations of the automobile. Thus, the X axis corresponds to the vehicle's length axis, the Y axis corresponds to the vehicle's width axis, and the Z axis corresponds to the vehicle's height axis.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the shutter arrangement in the blocking position, which shows more precisely the outer surface of the shutter arrangement 1, i.e. the surface facing towards the outside of the motor vehicle.

[0024] The shutter device 1 comprises a support frame 5. The support frame 5 in particular comprises two longitudinal cross members 5a running parallel to the Y axis of the trihedron and at least two lateral uprights 5b running parallel to the Z axis of the trihedron and connecting the longitudinal cross members 5a. Advantageously, the support frame 5 is made from a plastic material, the two longitudinal cross members 5a and the at least two lateral uprights 5b being obtained by injection moulding. To increase the rigidity of the support frame 5, it may be moulded in a single piece.

[0025] One or more flaps 3 are installed inside the support frame 5. If there are several flaps 3, they form rows of flaps 3 parallel to one another and form a set of flaps 3. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the shutter device 1 comprises a set of flaps 3. A control module 13 is arranged at one of the ends of the set of flaps 3, so that the flaps 3 can rotate synchronously about a pivot axis A. This rotation is performed between an open position (not shown) in which the flaps 3 are arranged to allow airflow to pass through the interior of the shutter device 1, in particular the support frame 5, and a closed position shown in Fig. 1 in which the flaps 3 are arranged to prevent airflow from passing through the shutter device 1.

[0026] 1, the control module 13 is arranged in the lateral upright 5b. However, it is entirely conceivable that the control module 13 is arranged in an opening in the support frame 5 connecting the longitudinal cross-pieces 5a, the shutter device 1 comprising a set of flaps 3 on either side of the control module 13.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the control elements 13 comprise in particular a rod 7. The flaps 3 are provided with control arms 39 perpendicular to their pivot axis A and supporting connection studs along a connection axis B. The connection studs allow the connection of the flaps 3 with the rod 7. The pivot axis A and the connection axis B do not coincide and are both parallel to the Y axis of the trihedron.

[0028] The control module 13 also comprises an actuator 9. The actuator 9 may be electric, for example an electric motor, or pneumatic, for example a pneumatic cylinder. By pivoting the lever 11, the actuator 9 imparts a translational movement to the rod 7 along the Z-axis of the trihedron.

[0029] The flaps 3 can each pivot about a pivot axis A defined by their connection to the support frame 5. The connection stud between the flaps 3 and the control rod 7 is arranged off-centre with respect to the pivot axis A. Thus, a translational movement of the control rod 7 parallel to the Z-axis of the trihedron, under the action of the actuator 9, pivots the flaps 3 about their respective pivot axes A and thereby displaces them from one position to another. As the flaps 3 are connected to the same rod 7, the displacement from the open position to the closed position is synchronized for all said flaps 3.

[0030] The support frame 5 also comprises one or more retaining devices 5c, which are more particularly arranged in openings in the support frame 5 and connect the longitudinal cross-members 5a. The retaining devices 5c are more particularly arranged behind the flaps 3. The retaining devices 5c also comprise a retaining member 50 which is inserted in a groove 312 formed in the flap 3 coaxially with the axis of rotation A of the flap 3. By means of these retaining devices 5c, the flaps 3 can have support points to maintain a straight shape and not sag under their own weight, especially if they are very long.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 3, the flap 3 comprises a shaped flap body 31 having an elongated (rectangular) shape, obtained by extrusion molding, and extending along its rotation axis A. More specifically, the cross section of the flap body 31 may have a substantially elliptical contour (see Fig. 4).

[0032] End pieces 30, 30' are arranged at each end of the flap body 31, in the present example referring to the ends of the flap body 31 in the longitudinal direction. These end pieces 30, 30' make it possible in particular to close the flap body 31 obtained by extrusion and to connect the flap 3 to the support frame 5 and to the control module 13. The end piece 30' intended to be connected to the control module 13 is notably provided with a control arm 39 allowing connection to the rod 7 (see figures 2 and 3).

[0033] As shown in Fig. 4, the flap body 31 comprises a front wall 310a and a rear wall 310b, which are connected at their edges and define an internal cavity 311. The front wall 310a is intended to be arranged facing the air flow, in particular when the flap 3 is in the closed position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The rear wall 310b opposite the front wall 310a comprises a groove 312 allowing connection to at least one holding device 5c (see Fig. 2) supported by the shutter device 1. These two outer walls 310 more precisely form the outer structure of the flap body 31. As the flap body 31 is manufactured by extrusion, the internal cavity 311 extends over its entire length.

[0034] The end pieces 30, 30' comprise an inner part 300 that is inserted into a cavity 311 of the flap body 31 and an outer part 301 that extends beyond the flap body 31. Between their inner part 300 and their outer part 301, the end pieces 30, 30' may also comprise a collar 302 that projects perpendicularly to the axis of rotation A of the flap 3. This collar 302 in particular closes the end of the flap body 31. The collar 302 also serves to protect the support frame 5 and the control module 13 from water and dust that may reach the flap body 31.

[0035] At a first end of the flap body 31, shown in Fig. 4, the flap 3 comprises in particular an end piece 30. The end piece 30 comprises in its outer part 301 a pivot axis coaxial with the axis of rotation A and is intended to interact with a bearing supported on the support frame 5. At a second end of the flap body 31 (shown in Fig. 2), the flap 3 comprises another end piece 30' and a control arm 39. The end piece 30' comprises a pivot axis coaxial with the axis of rotation A and is intended to interact with a bearing supported on the control module 13. The end pieces 30, 30' are preferably made by injection moulding from a plastic material.

[0036] As shown in more detail in Figures 4 to 6, the inner part 300 of the end piece 30 also comprises a hook finger 306. The hook finger 306 projects from the end piece 30, 30' along the axis of rotation A and is inserted into a groove 312 in the rear wall 310b. The hook finger 306 comprises at least one tooth 307 intended to contact the groove 312. This tooth 307 is in particular oriented so that the end piece 30, 30' does not come off the flap body 31. For this purpose, the tooth 307 may comprise a flat part oriented perpendicularly to the rear wall 310b and facing the outer part 301. It is also conceivable that the rear wall 310b comprises a bead or an orifice against which the tooth 307 abuts when the end piece 30, 30' is mounted on the flap body 31. The hook finger 30 may in particular be integral with the end piece 30. When the inner portion 300 of the end piece 30 is inserted into the cavity 311 of the flap body 31, the hook fingers 306 deform as they enter the grooves 312, allowing for easy insertion. When a pulling force is applied to the end piece 30, such as to pull the end piece 30 out of the flap body 31, the teeth 306 hook into the rear wall 310b in the grooves 312, retaining the end piece 30 within the flap body 31. The free ends of the hook fingers 306 may also include chamfers 308 oriented to facilitate insertion of the hook fingers 306 into the grooves 312 during installation of the flap body 31.

[0037] The hook fingers 306 provide a good connection between the end piece 30 and the flap body 31. This allows the end piece 30 to be held securely in the cavity 311 of the flap body 31 and limits the risk of it becoming dislodged. The hook fingers also deform during installation, allowing for greater manufacturing tolerances between the end piece 30 and the flap body 31 and facilitating insertion of the end piece 30 into the flap body 31.

[0038] The inner part 300 of the end piece 30 may also comprise blind recesses 304 which, when attached to the flap body 31, face the inner surface of the outer wall 310. These recesses, in particular, allow the amount of material forming the end piece 30 to be reduced, and therefore its weight. The sections forming the inner part 300 of the end piece 30 differ in thickness from one section to another by less than 15%. This relatively constant thickness of the sections of the inner part 300 also allows the end piece 30 to have a relatively uniform thermal inertia.

[0039] The cavity 311 into which the inner part 300 of the end piece 30 is inserted may also comprise a central reinforcing wall 313 extending along the axis of rotation A, as shown in Figures 4 and 6. This wall 313 divides the central channel of the cavity 311 into two. It also makes it possible to reinforce the flap body 31 and in particular to maintain the spacing between the outer walls 310. For this purpose, this wall 313 more particularly connects the inner surface of the inner wall 310b to the inner surface of the outer wall 310a. More particularly, the wall 313 is arranged vertically aligned with the groove 312, thereby connecting the bottom of the groove 312 to the front wall 310a.

[0040] 5 and 6, the inner part 300 of the end piece 30 may in particular comprise a slot 305 for the insertion of the central wall 313, the purpose of which is to enable the inner part 300 to be inserted into a central hole in the flap body 31. The hook finger 306 may in particular be located in this insertion slot 305 when the central wall 313 is located in vertical alignment with the groove 312.

[0041] According to figure 6, the inner part 300 of the end piece 30 may comprise at least one support point on each of the inner faces of the outer walls 310 forming the flap body 31. This allows in particular the inner part 300, and more generally the end piece 30, to have only one degree of freedom along the axis of rotation A. This allows in particular a good rigid connection between the flap body 31 and the end piece 30. In order to strengthen this rigid connection and to limit as much as possible the movements of the end piece 30 in the flap body 31, the inner part 300 of the end piece 30 may in particular have a cross section with a shape complementary to the shape of the cavity 311 of the flap body 31.

[0042] 4 to 6, only the end piece 30 has been shown and described as being inserted into the first end of the flap body 31. However, it is entirely conceivable that the inner portion 300 of either or both of the end pieces 30, 30' is as described above.

[0043] It is therefore clear that the presence of the hook fingers 306, which hook into the rear wall 310b of the flap 3 in the groove 306, allows a good connection between the end piece 30 and the flap body 31. This allows the end piece 30 to be held firmly in the cavity 311 of the flap body 31 and limits the risk of it becoming dislodged. The deformation of the hook fingers 306 also allows for a larger manufacturing tolerance between the end piece 30 and the flap body 31 and facilitates the insertion of the end piece 30 into said flap body 31.

Claims

1. A flap (3) for a shutter device (1) for blocking an air intake at the front end of a vehicle, comprising: The flap (3) includes a shaped flap body (31) having an elongated shape, the flap body (31) being obtained by extrusion molding and extending along its rotation axis (A); said flap body (31) comprises a front wall (310a) intended to be placed facing the air flow when said flap (3) is in a closed position, and a rear wall (310b) opposite said front wall (310a) and intended to be connected to at least one holding device (5c) supported by said shutter device (1); said rear wall (310b) includes a groove (312) extending coaxially with respect to said axis of rotation (A) of said flap (3); the front wall (310a) and the rear wall (310b) are connected at their edges and define an internal cavity (311) therebetween; The flap (3) further includes an end piece (30, 30') at each end of the flap body (31); The end piece (30, 30') comprises an inner portion (300) that is inserted into the internal cavity (311) of the flap body (31) and an outer portion (301) that extends beyond the flap body (31); At least one end piece (30, 30') includes a collar (302), a hook finger (306), and a pair of insert portions extending from the collar (302); the hook finger (306) protrudes from the end piece (30, 30') coaxially with and along the axis of rotation (A) and is inserted into the groove (312) formed in the outer surface of the rear wall (310b); said hook finger (306) comprises at least one tooth (307) intended to be embedded in said groove (312); The teeth (307) are oriented so as to prevent the end pieces (30, 30') from coming off the flap body (31); The pair of insertion portions are provided on both sides of the hook finger (306), extend from the collar (302) parallel to the hook finger (306), and are inserted into the internal cavity (311), the pair of insertion portions constituting the inner portion (300).

2. the free end of said hook finger (306) includes a chamfer (308) oriented to facilitate insertion of said hook finger (306) into said groove (312); A flap (3) according to claim 1 .

3. The flap body (31) includes a central reinforcing wall (313) within the internal cavity (311) that extends along the axis of rotation (A) and connects the inner surface of the rear wall (310b) to the inner surface of the front wall (310a); The central reinforcing wall (313) divides the central channel in two, the inner portion (300) of the end piece (30, 30') includes a slot (305) for the insertion of the central reinforcing wall (313); A flap (3) according to claim 1 .

4. the central reinforcing wall (313) is disposed vertically aligned with the groove (312) to connect the bottom of the groove (312) to the front wall (310a); A flap (3) according to claim 3 .

5. the inner portion (300) of the end piece (30, 30') includes at least one support point on each of the inner surfaces of the outer walls (310) forming the flap body (31); A flap (3) according to claim 1 .

6. the inner portion (300) of the end piece (30, 30') has a cross-section with a shape complementary to the shape of the inner cavity (311) of the flap body (31); A flap (3) according to claim 5.

7. the inner portion (300) of the end piece (30, 30') includes a blind recess (304) facing an inner surface of an outer wall (310) forming the flap body (31) when the end piece (30, 30') is attached to the flap body (31); A flap (3) according to claim 1 .

8. the thickness of the sections forming the inner portion (300) of the end pieces (30, 30') varies from one section to another by less than 15%; A flap (3) according to claim 7.

9. said end piece (30, 30') comprises, between its inner part (300) and its outer part (301), a collar (302) projecting perpendicularly to said axis of rotation (A) of said flap (3); The collar (302) closes the end of the flap body (31). A flap (3) according to claim 1 .

10. The flap (3) comprises an end piece (30) at a first one of its ends, an end piece (30') at a second one of its ends, and a control arm (39); the end piece (30) at said first end includes, in its outer portion (301), a pivot axis coaxial with said axis of rotation (A); The end piece (30') at the second end includes a pivot axis (301) coaxial with the rotation axis (A). A flap (3) according to claim 1 .

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