U.S. patent application number 13/847061 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-26 for cooler blind.
This patent application is currently assigned to ROECHLING AUTOMOTIVE AG & CO.KG. The applicant listed for this patent is ROECHLING AUTOMOTIVE AG & CO.KG. Invention is credited to Ludwig HUBER, Juergen Schneider.
Application Number | 20130252538 13/847061 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49112169 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130252538 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HUBER; Ludwig ; et
al. |
September 26, 2013 |
COOLER BLIND
Abstract
A device for altering a flow cross-section of an air passage
opening (16) in a motor vehicle, for altering an air mass flow rate
to a motor vehicle unit, such as a cooler, the device comprising a
device frame (12) having the air passage opening (16), further
comprising at least two substantially rigid shutter components
(22), which are adjustable with respect to the device frame (12)
between at least two different relative positions in which they
cover the air passage opening (16) to different extents, and
comprising a drive for providing a driving force for the relative
movement of the shutter components (22) with respect to the device
frame (12), is characterised in that at least two shutter
components (22), which are directly adjacent in the direction of
relative movement, are interconnected so as to be pivotable with
respect to one another about a shutter pivot axle (24).
Inventors: |
HUBER; Ludwig; (Durbach,
DE) ; Schneider; Juergen; (Worms, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ROECHLING AUTOMOTIVE AG & CO.KG |
Mannheim |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
ROECHLING AUTOMOTIVE AG &
CO.KG
Mannheim
DE
|
Family ID: |
49112169 |
Appl. No.: |
13/847061 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/333 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/06 20130101;
B60K 11/085 20130101; Y02T 10/88 20130101; F24F 7/04 20130101; F24F
13/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/333 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/04 20060101
F24F007/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 20, 2012 |
DE |
10 2012 204 431.0 |
Claims
1. Device for altering a flow cross-section of an air passage
opening in a motor vehicle, for altering an air mass flow rate to a
motor vehicle unit, such as a cooler, the device comprising a
device frame having the air passage opening, further comprising at
least two substantially rigid shutter components, which are
adjustable with respect to the device frame between at least two
relative positions in which they cover the air passage opening to
different extents, and comprising a drive for providing a driving
force for the relative movement of the shutter components with
respect to the device frame, characterised in that at least two
shutter components, which are directly adjacent in the direction of
relative movement, are interconnected so as to be pivotable with
respect to one another about a shutter pivot axle.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises
a plurality of shutter components, of which all of the shutter
components which are directly adjacent in the direction of relative
movement are interconnected so as to be pivotable about a
respective shutter pivot axle.
3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the shutter
pivot axle is formed by a separate axle component, about which each
of two directly adjacent shutter components is pivotable with
respect to the other.
4. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the shutter
components are movable between the two relative positions along a
relative movement trajectory (R), the shutter pivot axle extending
orthogonal to the relative movement trajectory (R).
5. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the shutter
components are each formed longer in the direction of the shutter
pivot axle than in the direction of the relative movement
trajectory (R).
6. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the device
frame comprises a flank, which laterally defines the air inlet
opening and is substantially parallel to the relative movement
trajectory, and in which a guide formation is provided, which
cooperates with a guide counter-formation of the shutter components
so as to guide the relative movement of the shutter components with
respect to the device frame.
7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the device
frame comprises two flanks, which are arranged mutually spaced
opposite one another, each laterally define the air inlet opening
and are substantially parallel to the relative movement trajectory
(R), and in each of which a guide formation is provided, which in
each case cooperates with a guide counter-formation of the shutter
components so as to guide the relative movement of the shutter
components with respect to the device frame.
8. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the guide
counter-formation is provided on a longitudinal end of the shutter
components.
9. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the drive
comprises a rotatable drive part, which may be a drive wheel or a
drive shaft, which is in, or can be brought into, a positive and/or
non-positive engagement with at least one shutter component so as
to transmit driving force to the shutter components.
10. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that the drive
part is provided in an end region of the air passage opening in
terms of the direction of relative movement of the shutter
components.
11. Device according to claim 10, characterised in that the drive
part is provided in a geodetically lower end region of the air
passage opening, in such a way that gravity assists, at least in
portions, in a movement of the shutter components relative to the
device frame so as to enlarge the flowable cross-section of the air
passage opening.
12. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that, in addition
to the drive, it comprises a separate energy store, for example a
spring energy store, which when released exerts a force on the
shutter components in a direction enlarging the flow cross-section
of the air passage opening.
13. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that a shutter
component arrangement formed from a plurality of shutter components
does not achieve a rolled-up state, in which one shutter component
overlaps another, in any of the intended relative positions
thereof.
14. Device according to claim 13, characterised in that the shutter
component arrangement is formed as a planar component arrangement,
which may optionally be angled multiple times, so as to be
displaceable into and out of a functional space of a vehicle, in
particular an engine space, with respect to the device frame.
Description
[0001] The present application relates to a device for altering a
flow cross-section of an air passage opening in a motor vehicle,
for altering an air mass flow rate to a motor vehicle unit, such as
a cooler, the device comprising a device frame having the air
passage opening, further comprising at least two substantially
rigid shutter components, which are adjustable with respect to the
device frame between at least two different relative positions in
which they cover the air passage opening to different extents, and
comprising a drive for providing a driving force for the relative
movement of the shutter components with respect to the device
frame.
[0002] Devices of this type are sufficiently known in the form of
air flap systems in vehicles. For example, DE 10 2009 043 064 A
discloses a device of this type.
[0003] German utility model DE 87 00 945 U discloses a blind which
can be wound up and unwound, consisting of a flexible material web,
for altering the flow cross-section of an air passage opening by
unwinding and winding up the blind. In this context, the blind is
introduced into or withdrawn from the air passage opening to
different extents.
[0004] Further, air flap systems are known in which each air flap
is pivotable about a flap pivot axle which extends in the
longitudinal direction of the air flap, so as to alter a flow
cross-section in an air passage opening in a device frame.
[0005] In all of these known air flap systems, as well as in that
of the present invention, the position of the shutter components
with respect to the device frame is adjusted as a function of an
airflow requirement of a unit positioned downstream from the air
passage opening in the airflow direction.
[0006] The convective cooling requirement of the unit can be
determined in the vehicle by way of one or more parameters, such as
the cooling water temperature, the rotational speed of the engine,
the throttle flap opening width, the vehicle speed and the
like.
[0007] A drawback of the type of air flap system known from DE 10
2009 043 064 A is that the shutter components of the known air flap
system are provided with a first gap width, and a grille having
rigid shutter components, which are immovable with respect to the
device frame and have approximately the same gap width, with
respect to which the movable shutter components are adjusted, is
arranged on the device frame. In this context, the rigid and the
movable shutter components extend substantially mutually parallel.
Thus, the maximum achievable flow cross-section of the air passage
opening is defined by the size of the shutter elements and the gap
width determined thereby.
[0008] A drawback of the blind known from DE 87 00 945 U is the
flexibility of the material web which is used as the blind, which
cannot withstand the back pressures which occur in normal driving
operation unless additional reinforcing measures are used.
[0009] A drawback of the shutter components which can exclusively
be rotated individually or together with respect to the device
frame is that, because they can turn, they require a relatively
large amount of installation space so as to be able to be
accommodated on the device frame in different rotational
positions.
[0010] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide
an air flap system of the type stated at the outset which makes a
larger maximum flow cross-section possible than the prior art, with
otherwise substantially the same dimensions of the device frame as
in the prior art, whilst simultaneously the installation space
required for accommodating the shutter components in different
relative positions with respect to the device housing should as a
result be as small as possible.
[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention by a
device of the type stated at the outset in which at least two
shutter components, which are directly adjacent in the direction of
relative movement, are interconnected so as to be pivotable with
respect to one another about a shutter pivot axle.
[0012] The shutter components of the device according to the
invention are thus arranged in the manner of roller shutters, are
themselves substantially rigid, that is to say inherently rigid,
and can thus even withstand large back pressure, and are
interconnected so as to be pivotable with respect to one another,
as a result of the relative movability about the shutter pivot
axle, in such a way that they can be moved out of the air passage
opening in the manner of a roller blind without requiring
additional installation space.
[0013] To introduce the interconnected shutter components into the
air passage opening, thereby reducing the flow cross-section
thereof, and to withdraw them, thereby increasing the flow
cross-section thereof, only installation space approximately
corresponding to the width dimension of the shutter components is
required in the air passage opening itself.
[0014] So as to be able to cover and uncover as large an air
passage opening as possible by way of the device frame and/or
ensure a maximum movability of a shutter component arrangement of
pivotably interconnected blind components for a predetermined size
of the air passage opening, it may be provided that the device
comprises a plurality of shutter components, of which all of the
shutter components which are directly adjacent in the direction of
relative movement are interconnected so as to be pivotable about a
respective shutter pivot axle.
[0015] For a predetermined size of the air passage opening, the
shutter components become smaller as the number increases in the
direction of the spacing between two directly adjacent blind pivot
axles, and this leads to a higher proportion of articulations in
the shutter arrangement formed by all of the shutter components,
and thus to increased flexibility thereof.
[0016] In principle, it is conceivable to connect two directly
adjacent shutter components by way of an integral hinge, in such a
way that the shutter pivot axle can be formed by one of the shutter
components itself or even be formed integrally with the two
directly adjacent shutter components, for example forming a thin
point between them. However, it is preferably provided that the
shutter pivot axle is formed by a separate axle component, about
which each of two directly adjacent shutter components is pivotable
with respect to the other. This can facilitate the assembly of a
plurality of mutually articulated shutter components to form a
shutter component arrangement.
[0017] For example, the shutter components may be formed from
extruded plastics material, whilst the shutter pivot axle may be
formed by a stable, for example metal, component, for example a
metal axle rod.
[0018] The separate axle component may simultaneously serve as a
joining member for connecting two adjacent shutter components.
[0019] Preferably, the individual shutter components of a shutter
component body comprise straps which face towards the pivot axle
and which can be penetrated by the shutter pivot axle when finally
assembled. So as to achieve a maximally stable articulated
connection of two directly adjacent shutter components, the straps
associated with a pivot axle are preferably arranged with mutual
spacing in the axial direction in terms of the pivot axle, in such
a way that a strap of one shutter component can come to be arranged
between two straps of the adjacent shutter component.
[0020] If the straps which are associated with a first pivot axle
of a shutter component are provided offset--with respect to the
straps which are associated with a second pivot axle, different
from the first, of the same shutter component--along the direction
in which the pivot axles extend, in such a way that the straps
associated with the first pivot axle are provided in intermediate
space regions between the straps associated with the second pivot
axle, a shutter component arrangement can be composed of
substantially identical shutter components. Only the last or first
shutter component in the direction of relative movement, which only
has one adjacent shutter component, may be formed differently from
the remaining shutter components as an end shutter component.
[0021] So as to require as little installation space as possible,
whilst providing maximum flexibility of a shutter component
arrangement, it is advantageous for the shutter components to be
movable between the two stated relative positions along a relative
movement trajectory such that the shutter pivot axle extends
orthogonal to the relative movement trajectory. In this context,
relative movement trajectory means for example the geometric
location of a specific point of the first and last shutter
components, in the direction of relative movement, during the
movement of the shutter component arrangement between the positions
thereof. In the aforementioned preferred construction, the relative
movement trajectory is also the trajectory which is traversed by
the pivot axles when the shutter component arrangement is adjusted
between the positions thereof.
[0022] So as to be able, without requiring much installation space,
to uncover an air passage opening which can be sealed or covered
most effectively by a substantially planar arrangement of the
mutually articulated shutter components, it is advantageous for the
shutter components to be formed longer in the direction of the
shutter pivot axle than in the direction of the relative movement
trajectory. In this case, the shutter component arrangement is
angled in a direction orthogonal to the pivot axle direction
thereof, and this greatly facilitates stowage of the shutter
component arrangement when the air passage opening is
uncovered.
[0023] So as to guide the movement of the mutually articulated
shutter components, in such a way that the shutter components reach
one or more desired positions while they are being driven, it may
be provided that the device frame comprises a flank, which
laterally defines the air inlet opening and is substantially
parallel to the relative movement trajectory, and in which a guide
formation is provided, which cooperates with a guide
counter-formation of the shutter components so as to guide the
relative movement of the shutter components with respect to the
device frame. If the shutter components are made very long in the
direction of the pivot axles thereof, the precision of guidance can
be increased further in that the device frame comprises two flanks,
which are arranged mutually spaced opposite one another, each
laterally define the air inlet opening and are substantially
parallel to the relative movement trajectory, and in each of which
a guide formation is provided, which in each case cooperates with a
guide counter-formation of the shutter components so as to guide
the relative movement of the shutter components with respect to the
device frame.
[0024] In a particularly simple case, the guide counter-formation
is provided on a longitudinal end of the shutter components or the
guide counter-formations are provided on each longitudinal end of
the shutter components. In this context, "longitudinal end" means
an axial longitudinal end in terms of the pivot axle. In this
context, the guide counter-formation may be a separate component
which is mounted on the shutter component. However, it is
particularly simple and therefore preferred for the longitudinal
end of the shutter component itself to be formed as a guide
counter-formation, for example by way of corresponding shaping at
the relevant longitudinal end, and this is possible in a
particularly simple manner if the shutter components are extruded
or injection-moulded from thermoplastic plastics material.
[0025] The drive for the relative movement of the shutter
components with respect to the device frame may comprise a
rotatable drive part. This may be a drive wheel or a drive shaft.
This rotatable drive part may be in, or be able to be brought into,
a positive and/or non-positive engagement with at least one shutter
component so as to transmit driving force to the shutter
components. For example, driving force transmission may be provided
by way of a positive engagement similar to the engagement of a gear
wheel and a gear rod.
[0026] So as to interfere as little as possible with the flow of
air through the air passage opening, it is preferably provided that
the drive part is provided in an end region of the air passage
opening in terms of the direction of relative movement of the
shutter components. In this context, when finally assembled the
drive part can be positioned in the geodetically higher end region
of the air passage opening, in such a way that the drive moves the
shutter components out of the air passage opening counter to
gravity, but moves them into said opening with the assistance of
gravity. A drive of this type always has to be powered when the air
passage opening is supposed to be uncovered, since in this case a
drive force countering gravity has to be exerted on the shutter
components constantly. However, the drive can be switched off when
the air passage opening is maximally covered, since in this case
gravity maintains the position reached by the shutter
components.
[0027] Equally, the drive may advantageously be placed at a
geodetically lower end of the air passage opening. In this case,
the conditions are reversed from what is described above. However,
this last arrangement has the advantage that in this case gravity
can be used to provide a failsafe function, since it acts on the
shutter components in the direction to enlarge the flow
cross-section of the air passage opening. However, this can only be
achieved at the price of having to exert a drive moment on the
shutter components constantly--to counter gravity, which cannot be
switched off--when the cross-section is reduced to any extent.
[0028] However, the aforementioned failsafe action can also be
achieved irrespective of gravity in that, in addition to the drive,
it comprises a separate energy store, for example a spring energy
store, which when released exerts a force on the shutter components
in a direction enlarging the flow cross-section of the air passage
opening.
[0029] A preferred spring energy store as the energy store may
comprise a torsion spring, or else a tension or compression
spring.
[0030] It is in principle conceivable to wind up the shutter
component arrangement around a winding shaft, which may also be an
aforementioned drive shaft. However, a relatively large compact
construction space over the entire length of the shutter components
may be necessary for this purpose, and is not always available in
motor vehicles.
[0031] It is therefore preferred for a shutter component
arrangement formed from a plurality of shutter components not to
achieve a rolled-up state, in which one shutter component overlaps
another, in any of the intended relative positions thereof, in such
a way that the shutter component arrangement can merely be
displaced, and can be deflected or angled during the displacement
as a result of the provided pivot axles. In this context, for
stowing the shutter component arrangement when the air passage
opening is opened, a stowing space is required which is long and
wide, but need only be approximately as thick as the shutter
components themselves. A construction space of this type is often
easier to find in motor vehicles than a stowing space for a shutter
component arrangement winding. It is therefore preferred to form
the shutter component arrangement as a planar component
arrangement, which may optionally be angled multiple times, so as
to be displaceable into and out of a functional space of a vehicle,
in particular an engine space, in a translational manner with
respect to the device frame.
[0032] Preferably, an electric motor which can be driven in two
opposite rotational directions is used as a drive.
[0033] The present invention is described in greater detail in the
following by way of the appended drawings, in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of an embodiment according
to the invention of a device for altering a flow cross-section of
an air passage opening in a motor vehicle, showing the air passage
opening fully closed,
[0035] FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view of the embodiment of
FIG. 1,
[0036] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view through the
embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, and
[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to
that of FIG. 3 but with the air passage opening uncovered in
part.
[0038] In FIGS. 1 to 4, an embodiment according to the invention of
a device of the present application is denoted generally as 10.
[0039] The device 10 comprises a device frame 12 having an air
passage opening 16, which is closed by a shutter component
arrangement 14 in FIGS. 1 to 3 and is opened in part in FIG. 4.
[0040] The air passage opening 16 may be defined laterally by
flanks 18, in which, as is shown in FIG. 2, a guide formation in
the form of a guide rail 20 may be provided for guiding an opening
and closing movement of the shutter component arrangement 14.
[0041] The rails 20 may form a guide groove in which longitudinal
ends of the substantially identical shutter components 22 can
engage.
[0042] When they are finally assembled, the longest dimension of
the shutter components 22 preferably extends in the transverse
direction of the vehicle, and they are preferably mutually
articulated by way of pivot axles 24.
[0043] The device frame 12 may comprise air guidance surfaces 26
and 28, which define the air passage opening 16 from above and from
below. Between the air guidance surfaces 26 and 28, a further air
guidance surface 30 may be provided, so as to deflect the air
flowing in through the air passage opening 16 in a desired
direction.
[0044] The air guidance surface 30 may comprise an opening 32 which
can be penetrated by the shutter component arrangement 14.
[0045] In the example shown, a drive shaft 34 is provided at the
geodetically upper end of the air passage opening 16, and can
transmit driving force to the shutter components 22 of the shutter
component arrangement 14 via force transmission means (not
shown).
[0046] In the example shown, the pivot axle components 24 are
formed by metal rods, which may be enclosed by straps 36 and 38,
which may be formed integrally with a shutter component 22 at
different ends of the width thereof. In this context, the straps 36
are associated with the same first pivot axle 24 and the straps 38
are associated with the same other (second) pivot axle 24.
[0047] The straps 36 and 38 are preferably of the same length in
the axial direction in terms of the pivot axles 24, and are
arranged with a mutual axial spacing which corresponds to the
length of a strap, in such a way that the straps 36 and 38 of two
adjacent shutter components 22, which engage around the same pivot
axle 24, can be arranged mutually interlocked. This saves space in
the arrangement.
[0048] The drive shaft 34 is coupled to a source of driving force
(not shown in FIGS. 1 to 4), for example an electric motor which
can be driven in opposite rotational directions.
[0049] This drive can be actuated irrespective of operating
parameters of the vehicle to which the device shown in FIGS. 1 to 4
is attached.
[0050] If a unit, such as a cooler or other heat exchanger of the
vehicle, which is positioned downstream from the drive frame 12 in
the flow direction D, has a cooling requirement on the basis on the
present vehicle operating data, the drive 34 is actuated so as to
move the shutter component arrangement 14 out of the air passage
opening 16 at least in part.
[0051] In this context, it is possible to bring about any desired
partial opening situation, in that the drive is stopped after
reaching the partial opening position of the shutter component
arrangement 14 or continues to be supplied with power in such a way
that it counters and compensates the gravity acting on the shutter
components 22.
[0052] As is shown in FIG. 4, the shutter component arrangement 14
is preferably not wound up on the drive shaft 34 or any other
winding shaft; instead, so as to save installation space, the
shutter component arrangement 14 is merely displaced and angled, in
such a way that it can be concealed and stowed for example under an
air guidance surface, in this case for example the air guidance
surface 26.
[0053] Thus, even when the air passage opening 16 is open in part
or even completely, only installation space of approximately the
same thickness as the shutter components 22 themselves is required
for the shutter component arrangement 14, and this space is easier
to find in a vehicle functional space, such as a vehicle engine
space, than a radially protruding stowage space for winding up the
shutter component arrangement 14.
[0054] Alternatively, the drive shaft 34 may also be provided as a
drive shaft 34' in the geodetically lower end region of the air
passage opening 16.
[0055] However, in the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the drive
shaft 34 is advantageously concealed at the geodetically upper end
of the air passage opening 16 downstream from the air guide surface
26, in such a way that it interferes with an airflow through the
air passage opening 16 less than the alternative drive shaft
34'.
[0056] However, driving the shutter component arrangement 14 by way
of the lower, alternative drive shaft 34' would have the advantage
that gravity would assist in an opening movement of the shutter
component arrangement 14, in such a way that opening or release of
the air passage opening 16 can be ensured even if the drive
fails.
[0057] A relative movement trajectory, which is traversed by the
shutter component arrangement 14 during the movement thereof to
close the air passage opening 16 completely when the air passage
opening 16 is incompletely opened, is shown in FIG. 4 and denoted
as R.
* * * * *