WO2020174136A1

WO2020174136A1 - Shock-absorbing device for an air intake shut-off module of a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2020174136A1
Application number: PCT/FR2020/050144
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sylvain Gerber; Laura MARION
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
Priority date: 2019-02-25
Filing date: 2020-01-30
Publication date: 2020-09-03
Also published as: FR3093049A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a shock-absorbing device (10) for an air intake shut-off module (1) of a motor vehicle, said device comprising a first element (11) designed to be attached to the shut-off module (1) and a second element (12) designed to be attached to a structural region of a vehicle, said first element (11) being movable relative to the second element (12) from a reference position to a retracted position so as to allow the shut-off module (1) to move from a reference position to a retracted position, said shock-absorbing device (10) further comprising a resilient member (15) arranged to move the first (11) and second (12) elements relative to one another from the retracted position towards the reference position, the first (11) and second (12) elements being rigidly connected to one another in the reference position by a mutual holding force which is distinct from a force developed by the resilient member (15).

Description

SHOCK ABSORPTION DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE AIR INTAKE BLOCKING MODULE

AUTOMOTIVE

[1] The field of the present invention is that of shock absorption devices for an air intake shutter module of a motor vehicle.

[2] The front faces of motor vehicles are generally composed of an air inlet or two air inlets, called high track and low track, separated by a bumper beam. Behind this bumper beam is generally placed a heat exchange device of the motor vehicle, comprising one or more heat exchangers, such as for example that used for air conditioning of the passenger compartment, intended to be traversed by an air flow introduced by the air intake or inlets at the front of the vehicle. A closure device comprising in known manner at least one shutter panel is also generally mounted in the air inlets of the vehicle. The shutters are for example formed of slats pivotally mounted on the panel. The inclination of the shutters can be controlled between a vertical closed position blocking the passage of air and several intermediate positions up to a horizontal opening position where maximum air flow can circulate. When the shutter panel is closed, the vehicle has a better coefficient of air penetration, which reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. In addition, the controlled shutters are arranged in front of a heat exchange device, which in the closed position, accelerates the temperature rise of the heat exchangers during the heating phase while also reducing the consumption of the vehicle and therefore the emission of C02. This closure device must be mounted on a supporting structure of the motor vehicle, that is to say, generally on a structure forming part of the body of the vehicle, or also on a supporting structure of the front panel module, ready to be used. be fitted to the vehicle by the manufacturer. The front bumper beam can withstand low intensity frontal shocks. However, impacts can damage components or equipment of the vehicle located behind the front bumper beam, and in particular the front panel module of the motor vehicle, which in particular supports the closure device with these flaps and generally one or more heat exchangers. The panel (s) of shutters, or even the heat exchanger (s) located behind the shutters, can therefore be damaged by such shocks. It is therefore desirable to limit the damage and degradation which would be caused by an accidental impact, in particular on the front face module, the repair or replacement of which can prove to be costly. The objective of the invention is to alleviate the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a solution for the closure device making it possible to limit the damage which would be caused by an accidental impact, in particular a standardized impact known under the name of Danner shock. corresponding to the impact of the vehicle against a fixed obstacle at a speed of up to 16 km / h.

[3] The object of the present invention relates to a shock absorption device for an air intake blocking module of a motor vehicle, in particular low-speed impact, said device comprising a first element arranged to be fixed on the shutter module and a second element arranged to be fixed on a structural region of the vehicle, for example on a side member or a heat exchanger support frame of the vehicle, this first element being movable relative to the second part of a reference position to a recoil position so as to allow the air intake shutter module to move from a reference position to a recoil position, for example to move back to the structural region of the vehicle in the event of an impact on the shutter module producing a force exceeding a predetermined force threshold, this force threshold being for example chosen equal to 500 Newtons, said shock absorption device further comprising an elastic member ue arranged to move the first and second elements relatively to each other from the retracted position to the reference position, the first and second elements being secured to each other in the reference position by a force mutual support which is distinct from a force developed by the elastic member, in particular during normal operation of the vehicle when it is traveling.

[4] The invention makes it possible to shift the shutter module, or also called AGS (Active Grill Shuttere n English), by a distance towards the rear, in the event of a front face impact at low speed. This makes it possible to bring the shutter module to a safety position, in retreat. After collision, the shutter module returns to its position initial reference. This makes it possible to avoid damaging the module, or the AGS, and to keep its primary functions.

[5] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the first element and the second element each comprise a magnet, these respective magnets being arranged to be pressed against each other by magnetic interaction which generates the holding force mutual, said magnets being pressed against, or secured, one against the other in the reference position, said magnets being detached, or separated or detached, from one another when the first element moves relative to the second element, said magnets being movable, in particular in translation, with respect to one another.

[6] According to one aspect of the invention, the first element has a piston movable relative to the second element.

[7] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the piston of the first element carries the magnet, the piston having in particular a housing for housing the magnet, for example a magnet of flat shape, this piston being in particular at the end of a rod of the first element.

[8] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the first element comprises a first support region and the second element comprises a second support region, the elastic member being interposed in support against the two regions of support, said two support regions being able to move closer to one another when the first element moves back relative to the second element in the event of an impact suffered by the closure module, this bringing together of the support regions having the effect of to compress the elastic member.

[9] According to one aspect of the invention, the bearing region of the first member, for example circular in shape, connects to the rod at an end opposite the piston.

[10] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the rod of the first element passes through an opening made on the magnet of the second element, this magnet being in particular carried by a transverse wall of the second element. [1 1] According to one of the aspects of the invention, the elastic member comprises a block of elastic material, in particular a rubber block, preferably housed between two respective support regions of the first and second elements.

[12] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising an air intake shutter module of a motor vehicle and a shock absorption device as described above, arranged to absorb a shock, in particular at low speeds. , undergone by the shutter module, in which said module comprises in particular movable shutter flaps held on a frame, the first element of the shock absorption device being fixed, for example by welding, on said frame.

[13] Preferably the absorption device comprises a plurality of pairs of first and second elements, these pairs being located at different locations of the frame of the shutter module.

[14] Obviously, the invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an assembly comprising an air inlet closure module and a shock absorption device as described above.

[15] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description given below, and several embodiments given by way of indication and not by way of limitation with reference to the attached schematic drawings, on which ones :

at. - Figure 1 [Fig. 1] shows a three-dimensional view of an assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, with a shutter module for the front of a motor vehicle;

b. - figure 2 [Fig. 2] is a sectional view of a shock absorbing device of the assembly of Figure 1 [Fig. 1] in a reference position; vs. - figure 3 [Fig. 3] is a sectional view of a shock absorbing device of the assembly of Figure 1 [Fig. 1] in a recoil position.

[16] FIG. 1 illustrates a module 1 for closing off one or more air inlets of a motor vehicle. In a known manner, a motor vehicle has one or more air inlets provided at the front of the vehicle. The motor vehicle also comprises a heat exchange device comprising one or several heat exchangers, such as a condenser and / or a radiator. The closure module 1 is intended to be arranged upstream of the heat exchange device according to the direction of flow of an air flow introduced by the air inlet or air of the motor vehicle. When installed in the motor vehicle, the module

The shutter is arranged in front of the heat exchange device along the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. The shutter module 1 comprises shutter flaps 7 which are movable parallel to each other and pivotally mounted on a frame 3, in a manner known per se. The frame 3 can for example be made of composite plastic material, and include honeycomb structures. The shutters 7 can be arranged vertically or horizontally when the module 1 is mounted on the vehicle. An actuator, for example electric, not shown, is provided to actuate the shutters 7. The shutters 7 are configured to go from a closed configuration where they completely block the air passage defined by the frame 3 to an open configuration where they are closed. are positioned so as to allow an air flow with maximum flow, and any intermediate configuration.

[17] There is shown in Figure 2 a shock absorption device 10 for the air inlet closure module 1, this absorption device 10 comprising a first element 1 1 arranged to be fixed on the frame 3 of the shutter module and a second element 12 arranged to be fixed on a structural region 13 of the vehicle, for example on a side member or a heat exchanger support frame of the vehicle (better known under the English term "bolster" ), or to the vehicle chassis.

[18] This first element 1 1 is movable relative to the second element 12 of a reference position, illustrated in Figure 2, to a recoil position, shown in Figure 3, so as to allow the module 1 to air intake shutter to move back towards the structural region 13 of the vehicle in the event of an impact on the shutter module producing a force exceeding a predetermined force threshold, this force threshold being for example chosen equal to 500 Newtons, this shock absorption device further comprising an elastic member 15 arranged to move the first 11 and second 12 elements relative to each other from the retracted position to the reference position, the first and second elements

II and 12 being immobilized relative to each other in the reference position by a mutual holding force which is distinct from a force developed by the elastic member 15.

[19] The first member 11 and the second member 12 each have a magnet 16 and 17, these respective magnets being arranged to be pressed against each other by magnetic interaction which generates the mutual holding force. These magnets 16 and 17 pressed against each other ensure that the first and second elements 11 and 12 remain held in the reference position. Following a significant shock (greater than 500 N), these magnets are then detached, or separated, from one another and the first element 11 moves relative to the second element 12, these magnets being movable in translation the one relative to the other, as can be seen in the two positions of Figures 2 and 3.

[20] The first element 1 1 comprises a piston 18 movable relative to the second element 12.

[21] The piston 18 of the first element carries the magnet 16, the piston 18 having a housing 20 to house the magnet 16, a flat magnet with a circular circumference, this piston 18 being at the end of a rod 21 of the first element 1 1.

[22] The first element 1 1 comprises a first support region 31 and the second element 12 comprises a second support region 32, the elastic member 15 being interposed in support against the two support regions 31 and 32, these two support regions 31 and 32 being able to move closer to one another when the first element moves back relative to the second element in the event of an impact undergone by the closure module 1, this bringing together of the support regions having the effect of compressing the elastic member 15.

[23] The bearing region 31 of the first element 11, circular in shape in the form of a circular peripheral plate, connects to the rod 21 at an end opposite the piston 18.

[24] The rod 21 of the first element 1 1 passes through an opening 33 made on the magnet 17 of the second element 12, this magnet 17 being carried by a transverse wall 35 of the second element.

[25] The elastic member 15 comprises a block of elastic material, here a rubber block, housed between two support regions 31 and 32, respectively of the first and second elements. The invention is not limited to the nature of the elastic material. One could consider a block made of elastic polymer or a spring for example.

[26] The absorption device 10 comprises a plurality of pairs of first 1 1 and second 12 elements, these pairs being located in different locations of the frame of the shutter module.

[27] Once the elastic member 15 is compressed and there is no longer any force exerted on the closure module 1, the elastic member 15 returns to its resting configuration. The elastic member 15 on returning to its resting configuration develops, or generates, a force which causes the magnets 16,17 to move closer to each other. Once the magnets 16,17 are close enough to each other, the magnetic force is strong enough to secure and hold the two magnets 16,17 glued to each other. In other words, the shutter module 1, and the absorption device 10, have returned to the reference position.!

Claims

[Claim 1] Shock absorption device (10) for a module (1) for closing the air inlet of a motor vehicle, said device comprising a first element (11) arranged to be fixed to the module (1) shutter and a second element (12) arranged to be fixed to a structural region of a vehicle, said first element (1 1) being movable relative to the second element (12) from a reference position towards a recoil position so as to allow the shutter module (1) to move from a reference position to a recoil position, said shock absorption device (10) further comprising an elastic member (15) arranged to move the first (1 1) and second (12) elements relatively to each other from the retracted position to the reference position, the first (1 1) and second (12) elements being joined together to the other in the reference position by a mutual holding force which is distinct from a force developed by the elastic member (15).

[Claim 2] An absorption device (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the first element (1 1) and the second (12) element each comprise a magnet (16, 17), said respective magnets being arranged to be plated against each other by magnetic interaction which generates the mutual holding force, said magnets (16,17) being pressed against each other in the reference position, said magnets (16,17) being detached. 'from each other when the first element (1 1) moves relative to the second element (12), said magnets (16,17) being movable, in particular in translation, with respect to one another.

[Claim s] An absorption device (10) according to any preceding claim, in which the first element (1 1) comprises a piston (18) movable relative to the second element (12).

[Claim 4] An absorption device (10) according to claim 3 dependent on claim 2, wherein the piston (18) of the first element (1 1) carries the magnet (16), the piston (18) having in particular a housing (20) for housing the magnet (16), the piston (18) being in particular at the end of a rod (21) of the first element (1 1).

[Claim s] An absorption device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the first element (1 1) comprises a first bearing region (31) and the second element (12) comprises a second region support (32), the resilient member (15) being interposed in support against said two support regions, said two support regions (31, 32) being able to move closer to one another when the first element (1 1) moves back relative to the second element (12) in the event of an impact suffered by the shutter module (1), the bringing together of the bearing regions (31, 32) having the effect of compressing the elastic member .

[Claim s] An absorption device (10) according to claim 5 dependent on claim 4, wherein the bearing region (31) of the first element (11), for example of circular shape, connects to the rod ( 21) at an end opposite the piston (18).

[Claim 7] An absorption device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the rod (21) of the first element (1 1) passes through an opening made on the magnet (17) of the second element (12), this magnet (17) being carried in particular by a transverse wall of the second element (12).

[Claim s] An absorption device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the elastic member (15) comprises a block of elastic material, in particular a rubber block, preferably housed between two regions of. support (31, 32) of the first (1 1) and second (12) elements respectively.

[Claim 9] An assembly comprising a module (1) for closing the air inlet of a motor vehicle and a shock absorption device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, arranged to absorb a shock, especially at low speeds, suffered by the shutter module (1), in which said module (1) comprises movable shutter flaps (7) held on a frame (3), the first element (1 1) of the device absorption (10) being fixed, for example by welding, on said frame (3).

[Claim 10] An assembly according to the preceding claim, in which the absorption device (10) comprises a plurality of pairs of first (11) and second elements (12), these pairs being located at different locations of the frame (3) of the shutter module (1).!