Active air flap(AAF) apparatus and operation method thereof

Abstract

Currently, as the demand for external AAFs is increasing due to the expansion of electric vehicles, an active air flap device is designed to prevent appearance defects and aerodynamic performance degradation caused by flap slippage in external AAFs. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an active air flap device is disclosed comprising: a main flap that rotates to perform the function of introducing or blocking external air into the vehicle interior; a sub-flap that rotates separately from the main flap and is positioned parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main flap; a main link that rotates by an actuator—the main link includes a first track that regulates the trajectory of the opening or closing operation of the main flap and a second track that regulates the trajectory of the opening or closing operation of the sub-flap; a first sub-link that follows the first track of the main link to operate the main flap; and a second sub-link that follows the second track of the main link to operate the sub-flap.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an active air flap (AAF), and specifically, to an external AAF device mounted on a bumper and a method of driving the same. Background Technology

[0002] An Active Air Flap (AAF) is a device installed on a vehicle's bumper grille that blocks the inflow of external air. Its purpose is to improve aerodynamic performance by reducing air resistance through controlling the optimal airflow (driving wind) entering the engine compartment according to the vehicle's operating conditions. Generally, it consists of a flap structure that opens and closes to reduce air resistance while driving. The AAF system aims to enhance driving stability and improve fuel efficiency.

[0003] With the increasing trend of dedicated electric vehicle platforms, it is common practice to configure the AAF as a bumper-integrated unit; in particular, for exterior AAFs integrated with the bumper, design elements are applied to the bumper side, resulting in a larger flap size, and a rotation axis exists at the rear of the flap to perform the opening / closing function.

[0004] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of an external AAF assembly in which a flap (1) is coupled to a rotation axis (2), and FIG. 1b is a cross-sectional view of the portion including the rotation axis (2) of the flap (1). As shown in FIG. 1b, in the conventional method, the flap (1) rotates around the rotation axis (2) as shown in ① due to the aerodynamic load (4) applied to the flap (1) in high-speed driving mode, and as a result, the lower part of the flap (1) is lifted off the bumper (3) as shown in ②.

[0005] As such, due to the characteristics of the external AAF, the appearance becomes poor as the gap with the bumper increases due to flap rotation and lifting (defective gap between the flap and the lower bumper), and aerodynamic performance is degraded due to flap opening (lifting) (increased vehicle driving load). The problem to be solved

[0006] As such, with the increasing demand for external AAFs due to the expansion of electric vehicles, this invention aims to prevent appearance defects and aerodynamic performance degradation caused by flap slippage in external AAFs. means of solving the problem

[0007] According to the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, an active air flap device is provided comprising: a main flap that rotates to perform the function of introducing or blocking external air into the vehicle interior; a sub flap that rotates separately from the main flap and is positioned parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main flap; a main link that rotates by an actuator, wherein the main link includes a first track that regulates the trajectory of the opening or closing operation of the main flap and a second track that regulates the trajectory of the opening or closing operation of the sub flap; a first sub link that follows the first track of the main link to actuate the main flap; and a second sub link that follows the second track of the main link to actuate the sub flap.

[0008] According to another feature of the present invention, a method for driving an active air flap device is provided, wherein, in order to drive the active air flap device, the main flap and sub-flap are positioned in a closed state when the main link is at a 0° position, and the main flap and sub-flap are positioned in an open state when the main link is rotated 90°.

[0009] The invention introduced above will become clearer through the description of the embodiments explained together with the drawings. Effects of the invention

[0010] According to the present invention, when an external AAF is applied, flap slippage and deformation are prevented to improve appearance defects, and the problem of reduced aerodynamic performance during vehicle operation can be improved by preventing the flap from rotating due to external forces. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0011] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of an external AAF assembly in which a flap (1) is coupled to a rotation axis (2). FIG. 1b is a cross-sectional view of the portion containing the rotation axis (2) of the flap (1). FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the exterior of an active air flap device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a rear perspective view. FIG. 4 is a right side view of an active air flap device, and Figure 5 is a rear view. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the housing (10). FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the main flap (20). FIG. 8a is a perspective view of the sub-flap (30). FIG. 8b is a cross-sectional view of a sub-flap (30) and a main flap (20) assembled in a housing (10). Figure 9 is a perspective view of the main link (40). FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first sublink (50). FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second sublink (60). FIG. 12 shows a combination of a main link (40), first and second sub-links (50, 60), a main flap (20), and a sub-flap (30). FIGS. 13a~d illustrate the operation of the sub-links (50, 60) according to the rotation of the main link (40) and the operation of the main flap (20) and sub-flap (30) accordingly. FIG. 14 shows the movement of the first and second sub-links (50, 60) according to the rotation angle of the main link (40). Specific details for implementing the invention

[0012] The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined by the claims. Meanwhile, the terms used in this specification are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text. The terms 'comprise' or 'comprising' as used in this specification do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, actions, and / or elements other than those mentioned.

[0013] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same reference numeral is assigned to identical components as much as possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known components or functions are omitted if such detailed descriptions could obscure the essence of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the exterior of an active air flap device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view. FIG. 4 is a right side view, and FIG. 5 is a rear view.

[0016] To explain in general terms, the active air flap device of the present embodiment is configured such that a main flap (20) is positioned at the front of a housing (10) which is open at the front and rear.

[0017] The main flap (20) is rotated by an actuator (not shown) to open or close the front and rear of the housing (10), thereby performing the function of allowing or blocking outside air from entering the vehicle. Here, the actuator generates a driving force for opening and closing the AAF according to a signal from the vehicle.

[0018] Referring to the rear view of FIG. 5, there is a sub-flap (30) inside the housing (10). The sub-flap (30) is installed inside the housing (10) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main flap (20) so as to rotate separately from the main flap (20). The sub-flap (30) also acts by the driving of an actuator and performs the function of preventing the main flap (20) from being pushed backward by the aerodynamic load during vehicle driving in the closed state of the main flap (20).

[0019] On one side of the housing (10) (in FIG. 2, the right side), there is a main link (40) that rotates by an actuator. The main link (40) rotates by the driving force of the actuator to operate the main flap (20) and the sub-flap (30). The main link (40) has a first track (41) that regulates the trajectory of the opening or closing operation of the main flap (20) and a second track (42) that regulates the trajectory of the opening or closing operation of the sub-flap (30), and a first sub-link (50) and a second sub-link (60, FIG. 5) are coupled to each of these first track (41) and second track (42) and move along the track. Accordingly, when the main link (40) rotates by the driving force of the actuator, the first and second sub-links (50, 60) move along the first and second tracks (41, 42), and as a result, the main flap (20) and the sub-flap (30) each move along a specific track and perform a flap action. The detailed operation of the main link (40) and the sub-links (50, 60) will be described later.

[0020] Now, the configuration and operation of the active air flap device will be explained in detail.

[0021] FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the housing (10). The housing (10) is formed as a roughly rectangular prism with the front and rear open. First, on the left and right sides, a main flap shaft hole (12) into which the shafts at both ends of the main flap (20) (23 in FIG. 7) are inserted, and a sub-flap shaft hole (13) into which the shafts at both ends of the sub-flap (30) (32 in FIG. 8a) are inserted are formed. On the right side of the housing (10), there is a main link shaft (14) protruding to allow the main link (40) to be rotatably coupled, and a second sub-link shaft (15) protruding to allow the second sub-link (60) to be rotatably coupled.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main flap (20). The main flap (20) is composed of an action surface (21) large enough to sufficiently block the front opening of the housing (10) to perform the function of an active air flap, and side surfaces (22) formed on both sides approximately orthogonal to the action surface. Main flap shafts (23) are present on both side surfaces (22). As shown in FIG. 7, it can be seen that the positions of the action surface (21) and the shaft (23) are separated in the lateral direction. Therefore, the side surfaces (22) are intended to separate the positions of the action surface (21) and the shaft (23) in this way, and as long as this purpose is achieved, the side surfaces (22) can be configured in a shape different from that shown in FIG. 7. The main flap shafts (23) at both ends are formed with a length such that they are inserted into the main flap shaft holes (12) on both side surfaces of the housing (10) of FIG. 6 and pass through.

[0023] FIG. 8a is a perspective view of a sub-flap (30). The sub-flap (30) is positioned longitudinally parallel to the upper part of the main flap (20) and is formed to be long enough to be positioned between the longitudinal edge of the upper part of the main flap (20) and the housing (10). It includes a front surface (31) formed to have a width that partially overlaps with the upper edge of the main flap (20), and sub-flap shafts (32) protruding from both the left and right sides of the front surface (31). The sub-flap shafts (32) are formed with a length such that they are inserted into and pass through sub-flap shaft holes (13) formed on both sides of the housing (10).

[0024] FIG. 8b is a cross-sectional view of a sub-flap (30) and a main flap (20) assembled in a housing (10). Here, it can be seen how the sub-flap (30) is positioned relative to the main flap (20). Specifically, the front surface (31) of the sub-flap (30) is positioned so that a portion of it overlaps between the upper edge of the main flap (20) and the housing (10), and it is configured to rotate towards the rear of the main flap (20) around the sub-flap shaft (32). In addition, to prevent air leakage, the front surface (31) of the sub-flap (30) is bent in an L-shape and includes a horizontal surface (33) that contacts the working surface (21) of the main flap (20) at a right angle. This horizontal surface (33) has a finishing surface (34) that is bent vertically again to further strengthen the airtightness with the working surface (21) of the main flap (20).

[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the main link (40). As shown in FIG. 4, the main link (40) is an element that receives driving force from an actuator and rotates the main flap (20) and the sub-flap (30) through the first and second sub-links (50, 60). Looking at the configuration, it includes a first track (41) formed in a shape designed to regulate the trajectory of the opening or closing motion of the main flap (20) as described in FIG. 4, a second track (42) formed in a shape designed to regulate the trajectory of the opening or closing motion of the sub-flap (30), a shaft hole (43) coupled to the main link shaft (14) of the housing (10) shown in FIG. 6, and an actuator connecting shaft (44) that receives driving force from the actuator. The operation of the main link (40) will be explained later together with the sub-links (50, 60) below.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first sub-link (50). The first sub-link (50) is made of a single body. At one end of the body, there is a main flap shaft coupling hole (51) that pivotally connects with the part of one main flap shaft (23) of the main flap (20) that passes through the main flap shaft hole (12) of the housing (10). At the other end of the body, there is a first track following projection (52) that is fitted onto the first track (41) of the main link (40). This first track following projection (52) moves along the first track (41), which is designed to continuously change its position or angle when the main link (40) rotates, and by following this, the main flap (20) performs a predetermined operation.

[0027] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second sub-link (60). The second sub-link (60) is formed by two bodies (61, 62) joined in a link format. At one end of the first body (61), there is a sub-flap shaft coupling hole (63) that pivotally connects with the part of one of the two shafts (32) of the sub-flap (30) that passes through the sub-flap shaft hole (13) of the housing (10), and at the other end, there is a link joint part (64) that links with one end of the second body (62). At the other end of the second body (62), there is a second track following projection (65) that is fitted onto the second track (42) of the main link (40). This second track-following projection (65) moves along the second track (42), which is designed to continuously change its position or angle during rotation of the main link (40), and the sub-flap (30) performs a predetermined operation by following it. In addition, between one end and the other end of the second body (62), there is a shaft hole (66) that is pivotally coupled to the second sub-link shaft (15) protruding from the right side of the housing (10), which serves as the rotation center point of the second sub-link (60).

[0029] The operation of the active air flap device configured as described above will be explained.

[0030] First, FIG. 12 shows a combination of a main link (40), first and second sub-links (50, 60), a main flap (20), and a sub-flap (30).

[0031] FIGS. 13a~d illustrate the operation of the sub-links (50, 60) according to the rotation of the main link (40) and the operation of the main flap (20) and sub-flap (30) accordingly.

[0032] FIG. 13a shows the closed state of the main flap (20) and the sub-flap (30), in which the sub-flap (30) prevents the main flap (20) from being pushed backward. That is, the main flap (20) is not pushed backward by the aerodynamic load caused by vehicle driving. The positional relationship between the front surface (31) of the sub-flap (30) and the working surface (21) of the main flap (20) is indicated by C1.

[0033] FIG. 13b shows the initial state in which the main flap (20) and the sub-flap (30) are opened. Due to the initial operation of the actuator, only the sub-flap (30) rotates slightly backward to enter the open state, while the main flap (20) remains in its original position. The positional relationship between the sub-flap (30) and the main flap (20) is indicated by C2.

[0034] FIG. 13c shows that the sub-flap (30) is fully opened and the main flap (20) is moving toward the point of full opening. The main flap (20) opens after the sub-flap (30) is fully opened first. The positional relationship between the sub-flap (30) and the main flap (20) is indicated by C3.

[0035] FIG. 13d shows the main flap (20) in a fully open state (completed opening state). The positional relationship between the sub-flap (30) and the main flap (20) is indicated by C4.

[0036] As described above, the position and shape of the first track (41) and the second track (42) of the main link (40) are designed so that the main flap (20) and the sub-flap (30) operate. That is, when the main link (40) rotates, the position and shape of the first track (41) and the second track (42) change accordingly, and accordingly, the time difference and manner of movement of the first and second sub-links (50, 60) act as shown in FIGS. 13a~d above, thereby causing the main flap (20) and the sub-flap (30) to operate.

[0037] FIG. 14 illustrates the movement of the first and second sub-links (50, 60) according to the rotation angle of the main link (40). In this example, the 0° position of the main link (40) is a state where the main flap (20) is closed, and when the main link (40) rotates 90°, the main flap (20) becomes fully open. It illustrates that while the main link (40) rotates to 0°, 20°, 40°, 60°, 80°, and 90°, the first sub-link (50) and the second sub-link (60) follow the first track (41) and the second track (42), respectively. In FIG. 14, it can be seen that the link joint (64 in FIG. 11) where the first body (61) and the second body (62) are joined is composed of an elongated hole (67) formed in the first body (61) and a shaft (not shown) in the second body (62).

[0038] In the rotation section marked A, 0° to 20°, the track (41, 42) is designed so that only the second sub-link (60) moves without any movement of the first sub-link (50). Therefore, in this rotation section, as shown in Fig. 13 (b) (when initially opened), the main flap (20) remains in a closed state and only the sub-flap (30) enters an open state first.

[0039] In addition, the tracks (41, 42) are designed so that only the first sub-link (50) moves without any movement of the second sub-link (60) in the 70° to 90° rotation section indicated by B. Therefore, in this rotation section, as shown in (c) and (d) of FIG. 13, the sub-flap (30) is in a fully opened state and only the main flap (20) operates to open.

[0041] Although the configuration of the present invention has been described in detail through preferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be implemented in specific forms different from those disclosed herein without altering its technical concept or essential features. The embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the claims set forth below rather than by the detailed description above, and all modifications or variations derived from the claims and their equivalents should be interpreted as being included within the technical scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0042] 1 Flap, 2 Rotation axis, 3 Bumper, 4 Aerodynamic load, 10 Housing, 12 Main flap shaft hole, 13 Sub flap shaft hole, 14 Main link shaft, 15 Second sub link shaft, 20 Main flap, 21 Actuating surface, 22 Side, 23 Main flap shaft, 30 Sub flap, 31 Front, 32 Sub flap shaft, 40 Main link, 41 First track, 42 ​​Second track, 43 Shaft hole, 44 Actuator connecting shaft, 50 First sub link, 51 Main flap shaft coupling hole, 52 First track following projection, 60 Second sub link, 61 First body, 62 Second body, 63 Sub flap shaft coupling hole, 64 Link joint part, 65 Second track following projection, 66 Shaft hole, 67 Elongated hole

Claims

Claim 1 An active air flap device comprising: a main flap that rotates to perform the function of introducing or blocking external air into the vehicle interior; a sub-flap that rotates separately from the main flap and is positioned parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main flap; a main link that rotates by an actuator, wherein the main link includes a first track that regulates the trajectory of the opening or closing operation of the main flap and a second track that regulates the trajectory of the opening or closing operation of the sub-flap; a first sub-link that follows the first track of the main link to actuate the main flap; and a second sub-link that follows the second track of the main link to actuate the sub-flap, wherein the sub-flap is positioned to overlap with the upper edge of the main flap to prevent the main flap from being pushed backward by an aerodynamic load generated when the vehicle is driven while the main flap is in a closed state. Claim 2 An active air flap device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing having an open front and rear and configured to allow the main flap, the sub-flap, the main link, and the second sub-link to be rotatably coupled. Claim 3 In claim 1, the main flap is an active air flap device comprising an action surface that performs opening and closing actions to perform the function of an active air flap, and a rotation center point of the action surface spaced apart from the action surface. Claim 4 An active air flap device according to claim 1, wherein the sub-flap includes a front surface configured to partially overlap with the main flap. Claim 5 An active air flap device according to claim 1, wherein the first sub-link is pivotally coupled with the main flap and is fitted into the first track of the main link to follow the first track when the main link rotates. Claim 6 An active air flap device according to claim 1, wherein the second sub-link is pivotally coupled with the sub-flap and is fitted into the second track of the main link to follow the second track when the main link rotates. Claim 7 An active air flap device according to claim 1, wherein the first track and the second track of the main link are configured such that the main flap and the sub-flap are in a closed state when the main link is at a 0° position, and the main flap and the sub-flap are in an open state when the main link is rotated 90°. Claim 8 An active air flap device according to claim 7, wherein the first track and the second track of the main link are configured such that when the main link rotates 0° to 20°, the first sub-link does not move and only the second sub-link moves, and when the main link rotates 70° to 90°, the second sub-link does not move and only the first sub-link moves. Claim 9 An active air flap device according to claim 7, wherein the main flap and the sub-flap are configured such that when the main link rotates 0° to 20°, the main flap is in a closed state and the sub-flap enters an open state, and when the main link rotates 70° to 90°, the sub-flap is in a completed open state and the main flap is in a state of opening in progress. Claim 10 A method for driving an active air flap device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the main flap and sub-flap are positioned in a closed state when the main link is in a 0° position, and the main flap and sub-flap are positioned in a fully open state when the main link is rotated 90°. Claim 11 A method for driving an active air flap device according to claim 10, wherein when the main link rotates 0° to 20°, the main flap is driven to be in a closed state and the sub-flap is driven to enter an open state, and when the main link rotates 70° to 90°, the sub-flap is driven to be in a completed open state and the main flap is driven to continue opening.

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