Air Flap System

Abstract

The invention relates to an air flap system (10) for controlling the intake of air into a motor vehicle comprising: at least one air flap (110) which can be pivoted between an open position and a closed position, and an elastic element (100) which is provided to couple the air flap system (10) to a vehicle frame. The elastic element (100) is elastic at least partially along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Claims

1.-11. (canceled)

12. An air flap system for controlling an intake of air into a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one air flap of the air flap system which is pivotable between an open position and a closed position; and an elastic element which is provided to couple the air flap system to a vehicle frame, wherein the elastic element is elastic at least partially along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

13. The air flap system according to claim 12, wherein the elastic element brings about a resetting force in order to bring the air flap system back into a starting position after an impact event.

14. The air flap system according to claim 12, further comprising: a radar sensor arranged in the air flap system for detecting an object.

15. The air flap system according to claim 12, wherein the air flap system is mounted elastically by way of the elastic element.

16. The air flap system according to claim 12, wherein the air flap system has an air flap system frame, and the elastic element is clipped in the air flap system frame.

17. The air flap system according to claim 12, wherein the air flap system has a holding element which is used for the coupling between the air flap system and the vehicle frame, and the holding element is fastened to the vehicle frame.

18. The air flap system according to claim 17, wherein the holding element is screwed to the vehicle frame.

19. The air flap system according to claim 12, wherein the elastic element comprises a plastic spring or a metal spring.

20. The air flap system according to claim 14, wherein the radar sensor is arranged in an upper cooling air inlet of the air flap system.

21. The air flap system according to claim 13, wherein a breakaway force of the elastic element corresponds to a force which is necessary for releasing the elastic element from a locking position, and the breakaway force is greater than or equal to the resetting force.

22. A method for assembling an air flap system for controlling intake of air into a motor vehicle, wherein the air flap system comprises at least one air flap which is pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elastic element in the air flap system; and coupling the elastic element to a vehicle frame, wherein the elastic element is elastic at least partially along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

23. A motor vehicle comprising an air flap system according to claim 12.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 shows an air flap system according to a first embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the image from FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show side views of the first embodiment; and

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment from a different viewing direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Orientation details, such as, for example, “left”, “right”, “top” and “bottom” and also “vertically” and “horizontally” relate to an arrangement as is conventionally provided in motor vehicles located on a horizontal surface without this being intended to constitute a limitation.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows an air flap system 10 for controlling the intake of air into a motor vehicle. Air flap system 10 comprises at least one air flap 110. Air flap 110 is pivotable between an open position and a closed position.

[0027] Air flap system 10 comprises a spring element 100 (shown in more detail in FIG. 2 which shows a detail from FIG. 1). Spring element 100 is an example of an elastic element. Spring element 100 is provided for coupling air flap system 10 to a vehicle frame. Spring element 100 is elastic here at least partially along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0028] Further illustrations of spring element 100 are apparent from FIGS. 2 to 5 which essentially refer to the region of a rectangle marked by dashed lines in FIG. 1.

[0029] Spring element 100 brings about a resetting force in order to bring air flap system 10 back into a starting position after an impact event. An elastic mounting of air flap system 10 can be achieved with the aid of spring element 100. Spring element 100 is configured in particular as a compression spring. Spring element 100 may comprise, for example, a spiral spring and extends at least partially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0030] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, air flap system 10 furthermore comprises a radar sensor 120 for detecting an object, such as a pedestrian. Radar sensor 120 is arranged here in an upper cooling air inlet of the air flap system 10.

[0031] Air flap system 10 furthermore has an air flap system frame 20. In one embodiment, spring element 100 is clipped or latched into air flap system frame 20. The latching of spring element 100 makes it possible to achieve a well-defined positioning of spring element 100 and air flap system 10. In one embodiment, air flap system 10 has a holding element 30 which is used for the coupling between air flap system 10 and the vehicle frame. Holding element 30 is fastened, in particular screwed, here to the vehicle frame.

[0032] Spring element 100 can be, for example, a plastic spring or a metal spring.

[0033] A breakaway force is required for releasing spring element 100 from a locking position. The breakaway force is greater than or equal to the resetting force.

[0034] A method for assembling the above-described air flap system 10 for controlling the intake of air into a motor vehicle, wherein the air flap system 10 comprises at least one air flap 110 which is pivotable between an open position and a closed position, comprises the following steps: [0035] providing spring element 100 in air flap system 10; and [0036] coupling spring element 100 to a vehicle frame, wherein spring element 100 is elastic at least partially along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0037] Air flap system 10 is suitable for installing in a motor vehicle (not fully shown).

[0038] It goes without saying that in the present invention there is a relationship between firstly features which have been described in conjunction with method steps and also secondly features which have been described in conjunction with corresponding devices. Therefore, described method features are also to be considered to be device features which belong to the invention—and vice versa—even if this has not been explicitly stated.

[0039] It should be noted that the features of the invention described with reference to individual embodiments or variants, such as for example type and configuration of the individual air flaps and actuators, and the spatial arrangement thereof, can also be present in other embodiments, unless stated otherwise or automatically ruled out for technical reasons. In addition, all features of features of this kind, described in combination, of individual embodiments do not necessarily always have to be realized in a respective embodiment.