Active grille shutter

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an active grille shutter. The active grille shutter comprises: a frame provided with an air inlet; an actuator fixed to the frame; at least one blade set comprising a first blade and a second blade which are arranged in a vertical direction, are respectively pivotally connected to the frame, and are driven by the actuator to pivot in opposite rotation directions between an open position and a closing position, so as to open and close the air inlet; and a connecting rod type driving mechanism connecting the actuator to the blade set, so as to transmit to the first blade and the second blade the torque output by the actuator. The design of the present disclosure allows the blade set to exhibit an appearance design action that resembles the opening and closing of butterfly wings, thereby effectively beautifying the front-end styling of an automobile; and the active grille shutter has a simple structure and is easy to mount.

Description

Active grille Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an active air intake grille for an automobile. Background Technology

[0002] An active grille, such as an external one, has blades with opening and closing functions placed at the very front of the vehicle body (also known as front-mounted blades). In this way, the blades of the active grille not only have the function of adjusting the airflow in front of the vehicle (to change the flow of outside air into the car's radiator), but the active grille also serves as part of the car's front fascia. The shape of its blades, the opening angle, the closing angle, and the direction of opening and closing all affect the front fascia design and the drag coefficient of the car.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field to propose an active air intake grille that can reduce the drag coefficient, improve the appearance of the car's front face, and is simple in structure and easy to install. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an active air intake grille. By setting a linkage-type drive mechanism between the actuator and the blade assembly, the torque output by the actuator can be transmitted to the blade assembly, causing two blades to rotate in opposite directions. This creates a butterfly-wing-like opening and closing design, effectively enhancing the front fascia of the vehicle. This disclosure uses a linkage-type drive mechanism comprising a lever and first and second linkages to transmit the torque of the actuator to the first and second blades respectively. This design is simple and easy to install. Furthermore, by setting the first and second blades to have different closing angles, this disclosure creates a streamlined appearance for the blade assembly. This not only achieves a lower drag coefficient but also further enhances the front fascia of the vehicle. Additionally, by aligning the first and second blades approximately parallel to a plane defined by the lateral and longitudinal directions when the blade assembly is fully open, this disclosure maximizes the forward airflow (i.e., the maximum flow rate of outside air entering the vehicle's radiator), achieving excellent heat dissipation.

[0005] This disclosure provides an active air intake grille, comprising: a frame having an air inlet; an actuator fixed to the frame; and at least one blade group including a first blade and a second blade arranged in a vertical direction, the first blade and the second blade being pivotally connected to the frame and capable of pivoting in opposite rotational directions between an open position and a closed position under the drive of the actuator to open and close the air inlet. The active air intake grille further includes a linkage drive mechanism connecting the actuator and the at least one blade group to transmit the torque output by the actuator to the first blade and the second blade.

[0006] The active air intake grille according to this disclosure may also have one or more of the following features, individually or in combination.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the linkage drive mechanism includes: a lever connected to the output end of the actuator; a first link, one end of which is pivotally connected to the lever and the other end of which is pivotally connected to the first blade; and a second link, one end of which is pivotally connected to the lever and the other end of which is pivotally connected to the second blade.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the lever has: a first end connected to the actuator; and a second end disposed opposite to the first end of the lever, the second end of the lever having a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion extending laterally and spaced apart, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion being pivotally connected to the first link and the second link, respectively.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the active air intake grille further includes a support rod fixed to the frame, the support rod having a hole, and the second end of the lever having a protrusion located between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, the protrusion being coaxially arranged with the output end of the actuator and inserted into the hole of the support rod.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the first connecting portion and / or the second connecting portion has a cylindrical structure and a snap-fit ​​protrusion near its free end, the first link and / or the second link has a through hole for receiving the corresponding first connecting portion and / or the second connecting portion, the through hole having a groove, wherein the snap-fit ​​protrusion is capable of passing through the groove in the through hole of the corresponding first link and / or the second link during installation, and is capable of preventing the corresponding link from disengaging from the first connecting portion and / or the second connecting portion when the lever pivots relative to the first link and the second link.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the first blade includes: a first pivot portion pivotally connected to the frame; and a second pivot portion pivotally connected to the first link, and the second blade includes: a third pivot portion pivotally connected to the frame; and a fourth pivot portion pivotally connected to the second link.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, when the first blade and the second blade are in the closed position, the second pivot and the fourth pivot are located between the first pivot and the third pivot.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the active air intake grille includes two blade groups, and the actuation structure is located between the two blade groups and drives each blade group via the linkage drive mechanism.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, two of the linkage drive mechanisms are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the actuator.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, when the first blade and the second blade are in the closed position, the angles between the first blade and the second blade and the plane defined by the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction are different.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the angle between the first blade and the plane is 85 degrees, and the angle between the second blade and the plane is 60 degrees.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, when the first blade and the second blade are in the open position, the first blade and the second blade are parallel to the plane.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the actuator is a motor, and the lever is connected to the output shaft of the motor. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an active air intake grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an active air intake grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from another angle, showing the actuator and the linkage drive mechanism.

[0021] Figure 3 is a side view of an active air intake grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 4 is a partial enlarged view of the active air intake grille at the actuator and linkage drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 5 is a partially enlarged view of a moving part in an active air intake grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the moving part includes an actuator, a linkage drive mechanism, and blades;

[0024] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged view of a moving component in an active air intake grille according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from another perspective;

[0025] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a linkage drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a linkage drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from another angle;

[0027] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a lever according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a lever according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from another angle;

[0029] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a first link according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the second link according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a support rod according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the support rod and lever assembled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 15 is a partial enlarged view of the first blade near the actuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this disclosure from the content disclosed in this specification.

[0035] It should be understood that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc., depicted in the accompanying drawings are merely for illustrative purposes to aid those skilled in the art in understanding and reading the content disclosed herein, and are not intended to limit the implementation conditions of this disclosure. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to the size, without affecting the effectiveness and purpose of this disclosure, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed herein. Furthermore, the terms "above" and "a" used in this specification are merely for clarity of description and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of this disclosure's implementation.

[0036] This disclosure provides an active air intake grille 1, and the various embodiments of this disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For a clearer understanding of this disclosure, the lateral direction X is defined as the left-right extension direction of the vehicle body when the active air intake grille 1 is installed on the vehicle; the longitudinal direction Y is defined as the front-rear extension direction of the vehicle body when the active air intake grille 1 is installed on the vehicle, and the longitudinal direction Y is perpendicular to the lateral direction X; the vertical direction z is defined as the direction perpendicular to the plane containing the lateral direction X and the longitudinal direction Y.

[0037] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. The active air intake grille 1 includes a frame 10, an actuator 20, at least one blade assembly 30, and a linkage-type drive mechanism 40 (also referred to as a drive mechanism). The frame 10 has an air inlet 100 through which outside air enters the vehicle's radiator to cool the vehicle's powertrain. The actuator 20 (e.g., an electric motor) is fixed to the frame 10 and can output power / torque. The blade assembly 30 includes a first blade 31 (also referred to as an upper blade) and a second blade 32 (also referred to as a lower blade) arranged vertically in the z-direction. The first blade 31 and the second blade 32 are pivotally connected to the frame 10 and can rotate between an open position (as shown on the left side of Figure 1) and a closed position (as shown on the right side of Figure 1) under the drive of the actuator 20 to open or close the air inlet 100 of the frame 10. The linkage-type drive mechanism 40 of the active air intake grille 1 connects the actuator 20 and the blade assembly 30 to transmit the torque output by the actuator 20 to the first blade 31 and the second blade 32, causing the first blade 31 and the second blade 32 to rotate in opposite directions. For example, the first blade 31 rotates in a first rotation direction R1 (counterclockwise as shown in Figure 1), and the second blade 32 rotates in a second rotation direction R2 (clockwise as shown in Figure 1). This arrangement simplifies the structure of the active air intake grille 1, facilitates installation, and creates a butterfly-wing-like opening and closing appearance design for the rotation of the first blade 31 and the second blade 32, effectively enhancing the front fascia of the car.

[0038] Specifically, referring to Figures 1 and 2, the frame 10 can be generally shaped like a convex cover. The frame 10 includes a front wall 101 and a top wall 102, a bottom wall 103, and two side walls 104 connected to the periphery of the front wall 101. The front wall 101 is provided with at least one air inlet 100 (this disclosure uses two air inlets 100 as an example, but is not limited thereto), which can be opened or closed by the blade assembly 30 (i.e., the first blade 31 and the second blade 32) to regulate the airflow into the vehicle radiator. The frame 10 is also provided with a first receiving cavity 12 and a second receiving cavity 13, which are generally rectangular in shape, for accommodating, for example, a sensing device (not shown) for vehicle radar and an actuator 20, respectively, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The first receiving cavity 12 and the second receiving cavity 13 are located between the two air inlets 100 and are arranged vertically along the z-direction to make full use of space and improve the compactness of the components. The first receiving cavity 12 has a first opening 121 on the front wall 101 of the frame 10 and a second opening 122 on the top wall 102 to facilitate the installation of components such as automotive radar. The second receiving cavity 13 has a third opening (not shown) on the bottom wall 103 of the frame 10 to facilitate the installation of the actuator 20. The second receiving cavity 13 also has a side wall 131 that partially surrounds the actuator 20 to facilitate the fixation of the actuator 20 (for example, the actuator 20 can be fixed to the side wall 131 of the second receiving cavity 13 by a locking mechanism such as screws). In addition, the interior of the second receiving cavity 13 may be provided with positioning guide ribs, which can not only position the actuator 20, but also strengthen the side wall 131, so that the side wall 131 can act as a motor protective cover, thereby effectively protecting the actuator 20.

[0039] To improve aesthetics and prevent dust, particles, and other impurities from entering the first and second receiving cavities 12 and 13, thereby affecting the sensing accuracy of components such as the vehicle's radar and the movement accuracy of the actuator 20, the active air intake grille 1 may also be equipped with a first cover plate (not shown) fixed between the two air inlets 100 on the front wall 101 and a second cover plate (not shown) fixed on the top wall 102. The first cover plate is used to block the first opening 121 and any openings that the second receiving cavity 13 may have on the front wall, and the second cover plate is used to block the second opening 122. It should be noted that after the active air intake grille 1 is installed on the vehicle, the third opening of the second receiving cavity 13 can be blocked by the vehicle's underbody protection plate to prevent sand and other foreign objects from entering. Therefore, the active air intake grille 1 does not need to be equipped with an additional cover plate to block the third opening.

[0040] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. The actuator 20 (e.g., a motor) and the linkage drive mechanism 40 are located within the frame 10. The actuator 20 is fixed in the second receiving cavity 13, and the linkage drive mechanism 40 is located between the actuator 20 and the blade assembly 30 and is concealed by the frame 10. This arrangement ensures that the actuator 20 and the linkage drive mechanism 40 are not exposed in the visible area during the opening and closing of the first blade 31 and the second blade 32, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The output end (e.g., an output shaft) of the actuator 20 is connected to the linkage drive mechanism 40, and the torque output by the actuator 20 is transmitted to the blade assembly 30 (i.e., the first blade 31 and the second blade 32) through the linkage drive mechanism 40, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0041] The blade group 30 of the active air intake grille 1 is arranged corresponding to the air inlet 100 on the frame 10. In this embodiment, the active air intake grille 1 includes two blade groups 30, which are located on both sides of the actuator 20, and each blade group 30 is provided with a linkage drive mechanism 40 between it and the actuator 20, so that the torque output by the same actuator 20 is transmitted to the blade groups 30 on both sides simultaneously, so that the two blade groups 30 rotate synchronously and simultaneously close and open the air inlet 100 on the frame 10.

[0042] It should be noted that the states in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 where one blade group 30 is closed and the other blade group 30 is open are only for the purpose of illustrating that the blade groups 30 (first blade 31 and second blade 32) have open and closed states, but are not intended to illustrate that the two blade groups 30 can have different states at the same time.

[0043] In one embodiment, the blade group 30 and the linkage drive mechanism 40 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the actuator 20. Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, only the blade group 30 and drive mechanism 40 on one side will be described below. Based on this, those skilled in the art should be able to clearly understand the blade group 30 and drive mechanism 40 on the other side, so they will not be described in detail here.

[0044] Please refer to Figures 7 to 10. The linkage-type drive mechanism 40 may include a lever 43 and a first link 41 and a second link 42. The lever 43 may be generally shaped like a fork, and the lever 43 has a first end D1 and a second end D2 disposed opposite to each other. The first end D1 is connected (e.g., splined) to the output end of the actuator 20, so that the lever 43 rotates synchronously with the output end of the actuator 20. Specifically, the lever 43 may have an external spline on the first end D1, and the output end of the actuator 20 may have a corresponding internal spline. The external spline of the first end D1 is inserted into the internal spline of the actuator 20 to form a splined connection. Of course, this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the first end D1 may also have an internal spline, and the output end of the actuator 20 may have a corresponding external spline, as long as the two can be connected and rotate synchronously. The second end D2 of the lever 43 has a first connecting portion 431 and a second connecting portion 432 extending in the lateral direction X. The first connecting portion 431 and the second connecting portion 432 are spaced apart to form a fork shape. The first connecting portion 431 is used to pivotally connect to the first link 41, and the second connecting portion 432 is used to pivotally connect to the second link 42, so as to transmit the torque output by the actuator 20 to the first link 41 and the second link 42.

[0045] Please refer to Figures 9 and 10. The first connecting part 431 and the second connecting part 432 each include a cylindrical structure for pivotally connecting the first link 41 and the second link 42. The cylindrical structure may be provided with a snap-fit ​​protrusion 434 near its free end to prevent the lever 43 from disengaging from the first link 41 and the second link 42 after assembly. Specifically, the first connecting part 431 may be provided with two snap-fit ​​protrusions 434 in the radial extension direction of its cylindrical structure. The snap-fit ​​protrusions 434 may be roughly inverted triangular in shape, that is, the snap-fit ​​protrusions 434 may gradually shift away from the axis of the cylindrical structure as they extend from the first end D1 to the second end D2. This allows the first connecting part 431 to not only be inserted into the through hole 410 of the first link 41 (as shown in Figure 11), but also to stop the first connecting part 431 from disengaging from the through hole 410 of the first link 41 after assembly. The structure of the second connecting part 432 is roughly the same as that of the first connecting part 431 (for example, it also has a cylindrical structure and two snap-fit ​​protrusions 434), so it will not be described in detail here. The only difference between the two is that the extension lengths of the first connecting part 431 and the second extension part 432 are different. For example, the extension length of the first connecting part 431 can be less than the extension length of the second connecting part 432 (as shown in Figure 7), so that after the first link 41 and the second link 42 are assembled on the lever 43, the two links 41 and 42 can be spaced apart in the lateral direction X, so as to avoid interference between the first link 41 and the second link 42 during the transmission of torque in the linkage drive mechanism 40. Of course, this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the extension length of the first connecting part 431 can also be greater than the extension length of the second connecting part 432, as long as interference between the first link 41 and the second link 42 can be avoided after assembly. In addition, in order to save materials and reduce the weight of the lever 43, multiple irregular grooves may be provided on the lever 43 (including on the first connecting part 431 and the second extension part 432), as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0046] Please refer to Figures 9 and 10. In one embodiment, the second end D2 of the lever 43 may also have a protrusion 433. This protrusion 433 is disposed between the first connecting portion 431 and the second connecting portion 432, and is coaxially disposed with the first end D1 (especially the connection between the first end D1 and the actuator 20). That is, the protrusion 433 can be coaxially disposed with the output end of the actuator 20. In one embodiment, the protrusion 433, the first connecting portion 431, and the second connecting portion 432 are disposed in the same plane. That is, in a side view (for example, in the side view facing the lateral direction X shown in Figure 9), the protrusion 433, the first connecting portion 431, and the second connecting portion 432 are distributed on a straight line, which can reduce the manufacturing difficulty of the lever 43. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, in the above side view, the protrusion 433, the first connecting part 431 and the second connecting part 432 may also be distributed on the broken line with the protrusion 433 as the inflection point, as long as the protrusion 433 can be coaxially arranged with the output end of the actuator 20.

[0047] Referring to Figures 13 and 14, the active air intake grille 1 may further include a support rod 11 that mates with the protrusion 433 and supports the second end D2 of the lever 43. The support rod 11 may be generally arc-shaped to allow its two ends to be fixed to the frame 10 without affecting the rotation of the lever 43. The support rod 11 may have a hole 110 in its middle, into which the protrusion 433 of the lever 43 can be inserted, so that the second end D2 of the lever 43 is supported by the support rod 11. This prevents the second end D2 of the lever 43 from deviating from the axis of rotation during rotation, thus affecting the opening angle of the blade assembly 30. It also effectively prevents axial movement of the fork 43, ensuring the motion accuracy of the linkage drive mechanism 40. Furthermore, to reduce weight, grooves may be provided on both sides of the support rod 11, especially the hole 110, as shown in Figure 13.

[0048] Please refer back to Figures 5 to 8 and Figure 11. The first link 41 of the linkage drive mechanism 40 can be generally straight, with one end pivotally connected to the first connecting portion 431 of the lever 43 and the other end pivotally connected to the first blade 31 to transmit the torque output by the actuator 20 to the first blade 31. In one embodiment, one end of the first link 41 has a through hole 410 for receiving the cylindrical structure of the first connecting portion 431. To allow the cylindrical structure of the first connecting portion 431 to pass smoothly through the through hole 410, the through hole 410 is provided with two grooves 411 in the direction of its inner diameter extension, so that the snap-fit ​​protrusions 434 on the cylindrical structure can pass smoothly through the through hole 410 for easy installation. During the pivoting of the lever 43 relative to the first link 41, the outer wall of the through hole 410 can stop the snap-fit ​​protrusions 434 in the position of non-grooves 411 (as shown in Figure 8) to prevent the first connecting portion 431 from disengaging from the first link 41. The other end of the first connecting rod 41 has a circular through hole 412 for pivoting the first blade 31. Specifically, referring to Figures 6 and 15, the first blade 31 has a first pivot portion 311 and a second pivot portion 312, wherein the first pivot portion 311 is pivotally connected to the frame 10, allowing the first blade 31 to rotate relative to the frame 10; the second pivot portion 312 is pivotally connected to the circular through hole 412 of the first connecting rod 41. In one embodiment, the second pivot portion 312 may have a cylindrical structure, and its outer diameter is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the through hole 412. In order for the cylindrical structure to pass smoothly through the through hole 412, the cylindrical structure has a longitudinal groove extending from its free end along its axial direction, making the second pivot portion 312 approximately U-shaped and increasing its elasticity, so that it can be easily pivotally connected to the first connecting rod 41 even if the second pivot portion 312 is deformed.

[0049] Referring to Figures 5 to 8 and Figure 12, the second link 42 of the linkage drive mechanism 40 can also be generally straight, with one end pivotally connected to the second connecting portion 432 of the lever 43 and the other end pivotally connected to the second blade 32, so as to transmit the torque output by the actuator 20 to the second blade 32. In one embodiment, one end of the second link 42 has a through hole 420 for receiving the cylindrical structure of the second connecting portion 432. In order to allow the cylindrical structure of the second connecting portion 432 to pass smoothly through the through hole 420, the through hole 420 is provided with two grooves 421 in the direction of its inner diameter extension, so that the snap-fit ​​protrusion 434 on the cylindrical structure can pass smoothly through the through hole 420 for easy installation. During the pivoting of the lever 43 relative to the second link 42, the outer wall of the through hole 420 can stop the snap-fit ​​protrusion 434 in the position of non-groove 421 (as shown in Figure 8) to prevent the second connecting portion 432 from disengaging from the second link 42. The other end of the second connecting rod 42 has a circular through hole 422 for pivoting the second blade 31. Specifically, referring to Figures 5 and 6, the second blade 32 has a third pivot portion 321 and a fourth pivot portion 322. The third pivot portion 321 is pivotally connected to the frame 10, allowing the second blade 32 to rotate relative to the frame 10. The fourth pivot portion 322 is pivotally connected to the circular through hole 422 of the second connecting rod 42. In one embodiment, the structure of the fourth pivot portion 322 can be the same as that of the first pivot portion 311 of the first blade 31, that is, the fourth pivot portion 322 can have a cylindrical structure, and its outer diameter is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the through hole 422. In order for the cylindrical structure to pass smoothly through the through hole 422, the cylindrical structure has a longitudinal groove extending from its free end along its axial direction, making the fourth pivot portion 322 approximately U-shaped and increasing its elasticity. This allows it to be easily pivotally connected to the second connecting rod 42 even if the fourth pivot portion 322 is deformed.

[0050] In order to enable the first blade 31 and the second blade 32 to rotate in opposite directions during the opening or closing process, presenting a butterfly-wing-like opening and closing appearance design, when the blade group 30 is in the closed position (that is, when the first blade 31 and the second blade 32 are in the closed position), the second pivot 312 and the fourth pivot 322 are located between the first pivot 311 and the third pivot 321 (as shown in Figure 6). In other words, the first link 41 and the second link 42 are respectively pivotally connected to the positions where the first blade 31 and the second blade 32 are close to each other, and the positions where the first blade 31 and the second blade 32 are far from each other are respectively pivotally connected to the frame 10. With this arrangement, the first blade 31 and the second blade 32 can rotate in opposite directions under the drive of the linkage drive mechanism 40 (as shown in Figure 1) to beautify the front face of the car.

[0051] Please refer back to Figure 3. The first blade 31 and the second blade 32 of the blade assembly 30 have different closing angles, which gives the blade assembly 30 a streamlined appearance. This arrangement not only achieves a lower air drag coefficient, but also enhances the front styling of the car.

[0052] Specifically, when the first blade 31 and the second blade 32 are in the closed position, the angle α between the first blade 31 and the plane defined by the lateral direction X and the longitudinal direction Y (as shown by the dashed line in Figure 3) (i.e., the closing angle of the first blade 31) is different from the angle β between the second blade 32 and the aforementioned plane (as shown by the dashed line in Figure 3) (i.e., the closing angle of the second blade 32), allowing the blade assembly 30 to exhibit a streamlined appearance. In one embodiment, the closing angle of the first blade 31 may be 85 degrees, and the closing angle of the second blade 32 may be 60 degrees; however, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art can specifically define the closing angles of the first blade 31 and the second blade 32 according to the appearance requirements of the car's front end.

[0053] Please refer back to Figures 1 and 2. When the actuator 20 drives the blade assembly 30 to the fully open position, the first blade 31 and the second blade 32 are approximately parallel to the plane defined by the lateral direction X and the longitudinal direction Y, so as to obtain the maximum airflow in front of the vehicle (i.e., obtain the maximum flow rate of outside air into the car radiator) and achieve a good heat dissipation effect.

[0054] Furthermore, it should be noted that this disclosure does not limit the lengths of the first link 41 and the second link 42, nor does it limit the pivot position of the blade assembly 30 on the frame 10, or the positions of the first connecting portion 431 and the second connecting portion 432 relative to the pivot of the lever 43. The opening and closing angles of the first blade 31 and the second blade 32 can be adjusted by the lengths of the first link 41 and the second link 42, the pivot position of the blade assembly 30 on the frame 10, and the positions of the first connecting portion 431 and the second connecting portion 432 relative to the pivot of the lever 43.

[0055] The following section will explain the switching of the blade assembly 30 between the closed and open positions in conjunction with Figure 5.

[0056] As shown in Figure 5, the blade group 30 on one side of the actuator 20 (e.g., the left side in Figure 5) is in the closed position (i.e., both the first blade 31 and the second blade 32 are in the closed position). When the actuator 20 rotates by an angle (e.g., 90 degrees) along the second rotation direction R2 (e.g., clockwise as shown in Figure 5), it drives the lever 43 to rotate along the second rotation direction R2. In this way, the first connecting part 431 of the lever 43 will push the first blade 31 to rotate along the first rotation direction R1, and the second connecting part 432 of the lever 43 will pull the second blade 32 to rotate along the second rotation direction R2, so that the blade group 30 presents a butterfly-wing-like opening action until the lever 43 on the left side rotates to a position symmetrical to the lever 43 on the right side. At this time, the blade group 30 is in the open position (i.e., the first blade 31 and the second blade 32 are in the open position).

[0057] When the blade assembly 30 needs to be closed again, the actuator 20 rotates by an angle (e.g., 90 degrees) along the first rotation direction R1, and drives the lever 43 to rotate along the first rotation direction R1. In this way, the first connecting part 431 of the lever 43 will pull the first blade 31 to rotate along the second rotation direction R2, and the second connecting part 432 of the lever 43 will push the second blade 32 to rotate along the first rotation direction R1, so that the blade assembly 30 presents a butterfly-wing-like closing action until the lever 43 returns to the current position of the left lever 43. At this time, the blade assembly 30 is in the closed position (that is, the first blade 31 and the second blade 32 are in the closed position).

[0058] Although the active air intake grille 1 described in this disclosure is mainly illustrated with two blade groups 30 located on both sides of the actuator 20, this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the active air intake grille 1 may also have only one blade group 30. In this case, only a large air inlet needs to be opened on the frame 10, and the actuator 20 and the linkage drive mechanism 40 are set on one side of the blade group 30. The specific configuration can be determined according to actual needs.

[0059] The two blade groups 30 described in this disclosure are mainly illustrated by the example of symmetrical arrangement with respect to the actuator 20. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the two blade groups 30 can also be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the actuator 20, as long as the actuator 20 can drive the two blade groups 30 to rotate synchronously between the open and closed positions.

[0060] The first connecting portion 431 and the second connecting portion 432 described in this disclosure are mainly illustrated by the example of two snap-fit ​​protrusions 434 provided in the radial extension direction of their cylindrical structure. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, one or more snap-fit ​​protrusions may also be provided on the cylindrical structure of the first connecting portion 431 and / or the second connecting portion 432, as long as the first connecting portion 431 and the second connecting portion 432 can be pivotally connected to the first connecting rod 41 and the second connecting rod 42 respectively and can prevent disengagement from the through holes of the first connecting rod 41 and the second connecting rod 42.

[0061] The first connecting part 431 and the second connecting part 432 described in this disclosure are mainly illustrated by the example of having a snap-fit ​​protrusion and corresponding grooves in the through holes of the first connecting rod 41 and the second connecting rod 42. However, this disclosure is not limited to the above structure, as long as the first connecting part 431 and the second connecting part 432 can be pivotally connected to the first connecting rod 41 and the second connecting rod 42 respectively.

[0062] Similarly, this disclosure is not limited to the pivotal connection structure between the first link 41 and the first blade 31, and between the second link 42 and the second blade 32 in the above embodiments, as long as the first link 41 can be pivotally connected to the first blade 31 and the second link 42 can be pivotally connected to the second blade 32.

[0063] Furthermore, the linkage drive mechanism 40 described in this disclosure is mainly illustrated by including a lever 43, a first link 41, and a second link 42. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the linkage drive mechanism 40 may also include other transmission rods, as long as they can transmit the torque output by the actuator 20 to the blade assembly 30.

[0064] This disclosure provides an active air intake grille. By setting a linkage-type drive mechanism between the actuator and the blade assembly, the torque output by the actuator can be transmitted to the blade assembly, causing two blades to rotate in opposite directions. This creates a butterfly-wing-like opening and closing design, effectively enhancing the front fascia of the vehicle. The linkage-type drive mechanism, designed to include a lever and first and second linkages, transmits the torque of the actuator to the first and second blades respectively. This simple structure facilitates installation. Furthermore, by setting the first and second blades to have different closing angles, the blade assembly achieves a streamlined appearance, resulting in a lower drag coefficient and further enhancing the front fascia. Additionally, by aligning the first and second blades approximately parallel to a plane defined by the lateral and longitudinal directions when the blade assembly is fully open, the maximum airflow (i.e., the maximum flow rate of outside air entering the vehicle's radiator) is achieved, resulting in excellent heat dissipation.

[0065] The foregoing description of an exemplary embodiment of the active air intake grille provided by this disclosure refers to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and alterations can be made to the above specific embodiments without departing from the spirit of this disclosure, and various combinations can be made to the various technical features and structures proposed in this disclosure without exceeding the protection scope of this disclosure, which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An active grille shutter (1), characterized in that, The active air intake grille (1) comprises: a frame (10) having an air inlet (100); an actuator (20) fixed to the frame (10); at least one blade group (30) comprising first blades (31) and second blades (32) arranged in a vertical direction (Z), the first blades (31) and the second blades (32) being respectively pivoted to the frame (10) and being able to pivot in opposite rotation directions between an open position and a closed position respectively under the drive of the actuator (20) to open and close the air inlet (100), wherein the active air intake grille (1) further comprises a linkage driving mechanism (40) connecting the actuator (20) and the at least one blade group (30) to transmit the torque output by the actuator (20) to the first blades (31) and the second blades (32).

2. Active grille shutter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The linkage driving mechanism (40) comprises: a lever (43) connected to the output end of the actuator (20); a first linkage (41) having one end pivoted to the lever (43) and the other end pivoted to the first blade (31); and a second linkage (42) having one end pivoted to the lever (43) and the other end pivoted to the second blade (32).

3. Active grille shutter (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The lever (43) has: a first end (D1) connected to the actuator (20); and a second end (D2) disposed opposite the first end (D1) of the lever (43), the second end (D2) of the lever (43) having a first connecting portion (431) and a second connecting portion (432) extending in a transverse direction (X) and spaced apart, the first connecting portion (431) and the second connecting portion (432) being respectively pivoted to the first linkage (41) and the second linkage (42).

4. Active grille shutter (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The active air intake grille (1) further comprises a support rod (11) fixed to the frame (10), the support rod (11) having a hole (110), The second end (D2) of the lever (43) further has a protruding portion (433) located between the first connecting portion (431) and the second connecting portion (432), the protruding portion (433) being coaxially arranged with the output end of the actuator (20) and inserted into the hole (110) of the support rod (11).

5. Active grille shutter (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The first connecting portion (431) and / or the second connecting portion (432) have a cylindrical structure and have a buckle protrusion (434) near the free end thereof, The first linkage (41) and / or the second linkage (42) have a through hole (410, 420) for receiving the corresponding first connecting portion (431) and / or second connecting portion (432), the through hole (410, 420) having a groove (411, 421) therein, The buckle protrusion (434) is capable of passing through a groove in a through hole (410, 420) of the first link (41) and / or the second link (42) during installation, and capable of stopping the corresponding link from disengaging the first connection portion (431) and / or the second connection portion (432) when the lever (43) pivots relative to the first link (41) and the second link (42).

6. The active grille shutter (1) according to claim 2, wherein, the first blade (31) comprises: a first pivot portion (311) pivoted to the frame (10); and a second pivot portion (312) pivoted to the first link (41), the second blade (32) comprises: a third pivot portion (321) pivoted to the frame (10); and a fourth pivot portion (322) pivoted to the second link (42).

7. Active grille shutter (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that When the first blade (31) and the second blade (32) are in the closed position, the second pivot portion (312) and the fourth pivot portion (322) are located between the first pivot portion (311) and the third pivot portion (321).

8. Active air intake grille (1) according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that The active grille shutter (1) comprises two blade groups (30), and the actuating mechanism (20) is located between the two blade groups (30) and drives each blade group (30) via the link-type driving mechanism (40).

9. Active grille shutter (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The two link-type driving mechanisms (40) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the actuating mechanism (20).

10. Active grille shutter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that When the first blade (31) and the second blade (32) are in the closed position, the included angles between the first blade (31) and the second blade (32) and a plane defined by a longitudinal direction (Y) and a transverse direction (X) are different.

11. Active grille shutter (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The included angle between the first blade (31) and the plane is 85 degrees, and the included angle between the second blade (32) and the plane is 60 degrees.

12. Active air intake grille (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that When the first blade (31) and the second blade (32) are in the open position, the first blade (31) and the second blade (32) are parallel to the plane.

13. Active grille shutter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The actuating mechanism (20) is an electric motor, and the lever (43) is connected to an output shaft of the electric motor.

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