Device for Closing a Motor Vehicle Cooling Module

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (2) for closing a motor vehicle cooling module, comprising: a closure element (4) for closing air inlets (6) in a motor vehicle; a guide element (8) for guiding the closure element (4) during an opening and a closing movement; and a control element (10) for controlling an opening and a closing movement of the closure element (4); wherein the closure element (4) and the guide element (8) are arranged with respect to one another and can be controlled by the control element (10) in such a way that air inlets (6) in a motor vehicle can be opened and closed by the closure element (4) along a vehicle width (B); wherein, at the same time, two air inlets (6) arranged opposite one another along a vehicle width (B) can be opened and closed by the closure element (4).

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A device for closing a motor vehicle cooling module, comprising a closure element for closing air inlets in a motor vehicle, a guide element for guiding the closure element during an opening and a closing movement, a control element for controlling an opening and a closing movement of the closure element, wherein the closure element and the guide element are arranged with respect to one another and can be controlled by the control element in such a way that air inlets in a motor vehicle can be opened and closed by the closure element along a vehicle width, it being possible for two air inlets arranged opposite one another along a vehicle width to be opened and closed simultaneously by the closure element, the wherein closure element is configured in the form of a textile, wherein the control element is at least partially conically shaped, wherein the closure element comprises a first finishing strip arranged within a first finishing area and a second finishing strip arranged within a second finishing area for attachment to the control element.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the first and second partial closure element have essentially the same surface area.

23. The device according to claim 21, wherein the guide element is configured in the form of a winding shaft onto which the closure element is wound during an opening movement and from which the closure element is unwound during a closing movement.

24. The device according to claim 21, wherein the guide element is arranged essentially centrally between the first and second finishing areas of the closure element during an opening and a closing movement.

25. The device according to claim 21, wherein the guide element is configured in two parts and comprises a first partial guide element and a second partial guide element, which are preferably configured in the form of half-shell-shaped elements which are connected to one another along the longitudinal axis of the guide element.

26. The device according to claim 24, wherein the control element comprises a shaft and in each case a first and second cable pull arranged on the shaft, the first cable pull being connected to the first finishing area of the closure element and the second cable pull being connected to the second finishing area of the closure element.

27. The device according to claim 26, wherein the cable pulls are configured in the form of Bowden cables.

28. The device according to claim 26, wherein the control element is configured and connected to the closure element via the first and second cable pulls in such a way that the cable pulls are unwound from the control element during an opening movement and are wound onto the control element during a closing movement.

29. The device according to claim 24, wherein the control element is arranged essentially centrally between the first and the second finishing area of the closure element during an opening and a closing movement.

30. The device according to claim 28, wherein a first and a second guide roller are provided for guiding the first and second cable pull, the guide roller being arranged opposite one another, preferably at the same distance from the control element.

31. The device according to claim 21, wherein the control element is double conically shaped, wherein a first conically shaped portion is connected to a second conically shaped portion.

32. The device according to claim 21, wherein the closure element is connected to the control element via a first and a second tension means, the tension means preferably being configured in the form of tension springs.

33. The device according to claim 21, wherein a guide means is provided for guiding the control element, the guide means preferably being configured in the form of an actuator.

34. The device according to claim 21, wherein the guide element and the control element are connected to one another via a gear mechanism, a first gear preferably being arranged on the guide element and a second gear being arranged on the control element, and the first and second gear being arranged with respect to one another in such a way that the guide element can be guided via the control element.

35. The device according to claim 21, wherein at least a frame or a grid is provided for receiving and supporting the closure element.

36. The device according to claim 21, wherein a detection unit is provided for acquiring data for determining a current position of the closure element with respect to at least a vehicle width or a current temperature or a current traction stress or a current speed or a current energy consumption.

37. The device according to claim 35, wherein a processing unit is provided for sending a control command to the guide means on the basis of the acquired data.

38. A motor vehicle comprising a device for closing a motor vehicle cooling module according to a device for closing a motor vehicle cooling module, comprising a closure element for closing air inlets in a motor vehicle, a guide element for guiding the closure element during an opening and a closing movement, a control element for controlling an opening and a closing movement of the closure element, wherein the closure element and the guide element are arranged with respect to one another and can be controlled by the control element in such a way that air inlets in a motor vehicle can be opened and closed by the closure element along a vehicle width, it being possible for two air inlets arranged opposite one another along a vehicle width to be opened and closed simultaneously by the closure element.

Description

[0030] In the figures show:

[0031] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for closing a motor vehicle cooling module in a fully closed state in a front view according to a first embodiment,

[0032] FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for closing a motor vehicle cooling module in a fully closed state in a rear view according to a first embodiment,

[0033] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for closing a motor vehicle cooling module in a fully closed state in a front view according to a second embodiment,

[0034] FIG. 4 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for closing a motor vehicle cooling module in a fully closed state in a rear view according to a second embodiment,

[0035] FIG. 5 a schematic representation of the device according to the invention for closing a motor vehicle cooling module according to FIG. 3 in an overhead view,

[0036] FIG. 6 a schematic representation of a device 2 according to the invention for closing a motor vehicle module in a fully open state in a front view according to a first embodiment, in which in particular the air intakes 6 arranged inside the grill 26 are clearly visible; and

[0037] FIG. 7 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for closing a motor vehicle cooling module in a fully open state in a front view according to a first embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 2 according to the invention for closing a motor vehicle cooling module in a fully closed state in a front view according to a first embodiment. According to the front view, the arrow indicating the direction of travel R points out the plane of the sheet in the present case.

[0039] The present device 2 shows a closure element 4 composed of a first and a second partial closure element 4a and 4b, each of which can be opened and closed along a width B of the vehicle. For receiving and supporting the closure element 4, the device 2 further comprises a frame 28 which ensures that the present device 2 can withstand even greater forces and can close air intakes 6 arranged within a vehicle front even at higher guiding speeds of a motor vehicle.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a device 2 according to the invention for closing a motor vehicle cooling module in a fully closed state in a rear view according to a first embodiment. In accordance with the rear view, the arrow indicating the direction of travel R points into the plane of the sheet.

[0041] As can be seen in the rear view, in addition to the closure element 4, comprising a first and second partial closure element 4a, 4b for closing air intakes 6 in a motor vehicle, the device 2 also has a control element 10 for controlling an opening and a closing movement of the closure element 4 and a guide element 8 arranged in front of the control element 10 for guiding the closure element 4 during an opening and a closing movement. The closure element 4 and the guide element 8 are arranged relative to one another and can be controlled by the control element 10 in such a way that air intakes 6 in a motor vehicle can be opened and closed by the closure element 4 along a vehicle width B, it being possible for two air intakes 6 arranged opposite one another along a vehicle width B to be opened and closed simultaneously by the closure element 4.

[0042] The present closure element 4 can in this case preferably be configured in the form of a textile, in particular in the form of an at least partially air-impermeable textile, such as for example a polyester or polyamide material. The control element 10 is configured in the present case in the form of a shaft and comprises a first and a second cable pull 14a, 14b, which are connected to the closure element 4 via a guide roller 16a, 16b. The control element 10 is presently further configured and connected to the closure element 4 via the first and second cable pulls 14a, 14b such that the cable pulls 14a, 14b are unwound from the control element 10 during an opening movement and are wound onto the control element 10 during a closing movement. The cable pulls 14a, 14b can be configured in the form of thin and stable wires, preferably in the form of fine cables made of stainless steel or in the form of Bowden cables or the like.

[0043] The first and second guide rollers 16a, 16b are arranged at the same distance from the control element 10 and at the same height H as the control element 10, in order to ensure as constant a traction as possible on the closure element 4. In the present case, the control element 10 is of double conical shape, a first conically shaped part 10a being connected along a waisted area to a second conically shaped area 10b. The conification serves in particular to compensate for the increase or decrease in diameter caused by the unwinding and winding of the closure element 4 around the guide element 8.

[0044] In addition to the frame 28, a grid 26 is also provided in the present case for receiving and supporting the closure element 4. Alternatively or additionally to a grid 26, a support of a different kind, for example a curved and/or beveled support or the like, may be provided to continuously hold the closure element 4 under a slight bias. A guide means 20 for guiding the control element 10 is further provided on the control element 10, which is formed in the present case in the form of a rotary actuator. The rotary actuator guides the second gear 24b arranged on the control element 10, which engages with the first gear 24a arranged on the guide element and thus also controls the guide element 8. Such a gear transmission 22 may be formed in the form of a 1:1 gear or, for example, in the form of a 2:1 gear.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a device 2 according to the invention for closing a motor vehicle cooling module in a fully closed state in a front view according to a second embodiment.

[0046] According to this second embodiment, the device 2 does not comprise a frame 28 or a grid 26 for receiving and supporting the closure element 4. However, according to this second embodiment, the closure element 4 comprises a first finishing strip 12a arranged within a first finishing area E1 and a second finishing strip 12b arranged within a second finishing area E2 for attaching the closure element 4 to the control element 10. The finishing strips 12a, 12b can preferably be formed from plastic or the like and can be detachably or non-detachably connected to the closure element 4. In this regard, the finishing strip may preferably comprise holes for attaching the first and second cable pulls 14a, 14b, which are advantageously arranged along the height, perpendicular to the opening or closing movement of the closure element 4.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a device 2 according to the invention for closing a motor vehicle cooling module in a fully closed state in a rear view according to a second embodiment in which the cable pulls 14a, 14b are formed in the form of Bowden cables.

[0048] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of the device 2 according to the invention for closing a motor vehicle cooling module according to FIG. 3 in an overhead view. According to this representation, a first and a second traction means 18a, 18b can also be seen, with which the control element 10 is connected to the closure element 4 via the first and second cable pulls 14a, 14b. The traction means 18a, 18b are formed in the present case in the form of tension springs and serve to exert a permanent traction on the closure element 4 during an opening and a closing process. With regard to a reasonable selection of traction means, traction means for exerting a tension or spring force of 20 to 50 N, preferably of 30 to 40 N, in particular for exerting a tension or spring force of 35 N, are advantageously suitable for common applications of closure systems for motor vehicle cooling modules.

[0049] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a device 2 according to the invention for closing a motor vehicle module in a fully open state in a front view according to a first embodiment, in which in particular the air intakes 6 arranged inside the grill 26 are clearly visible.

[0050] Finally, FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a device 2 according to the invention for closing a motor vehicle module in a partially closed state in a front view according to a further embodiment. In the present case, only the centrally arranged area of a vehicle front is closed by the closure element 4 or the partial closure elements 4a, 4b, whereas the laterally arranged air intakes 6, which allow a cooling flow into the left and right brake air ducts 30b, 30a, are open. In this way, the generation of a turbulent flow, which increases fuel consumption and reduces the range of a vehicle, can be kept to a minimum and released only for absolutely necessary vehicle elements.

[0051] By means of the device according to the invention, it is possible in particular to cool partial areas of an engine compartment arranged symmetrically along a vehicle width as required by moving a closure element along a vehicle width, the movement being effected simultaneously from two positions arranged opposite one another along a vehicle width so as to converge symmetrically towards one another or move away from one another. In this way, it is possible in particular, for example, to ventilate or cool only brake air ducts arranged in the side areas of a vehicle front, so that the generation of turbulent flows is reduced to a minimum. This increases the range of a vehicle and reduces fuel consumption to a minimum.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0052] 2 Device for closing a motor vehicle cooling module

[0053] 4 Closure element

[0054] 4a First partial closure element

[0055] 4b Second partial closure element

[0056] 6 Air intakes

[0057] 8 Guide element

[0058] 8a First partial guide element

[0059] 8b Second partial guide element

[0060] 10 Control element

[0061] 10a First conical shaped area

[0062] 10b Second conical shaped area

[0063] 12a First finishing strip

[0064] 12b Second finishing strip

[0065] 14a First Cable pull

[0066] 14b Second Cable pull

[0067] 16a First guide roller

[0068] 16b Second guide roller

[0069] 18a First traction means

[0070] 18b Second traction means

[0071] 20 Guide means

[0072] 22 Gear transmission

[0073] 24a First gear

[0074] 24b Second gear

[0075] 26 Grill

[0076] 28 Frame

[0077] 30a Left brake air duct

[0078] 30b Right brake air duct

[0079] R Direction of travel

[0080] B Vehicle width

[0081] E1 first finishing end

[0082] E2 Second finishing end

[0083] Height H