Device for Regulating an Air Flow

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (2) for regulating an air flow for a front end module (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a closing means/element (4) for closing air inlets (38) of a front end module (1) of a motor vehicle, a guide means/element (6) for guiding the closing means/element (4) during an opening and a closing movement of the closing means/element (4), a first and a second control means/element (8a, 8b) for controlling an opening and a closing movement of the closing means/element (4) a first and a second drive means/element (10a, 10b) for driving an opening and a closing movement of the closing means/element (4), wherein the first and second control means/elements (8a, 8b) comprise a multi-part integrated tension and tolerance compensation mechanism (12) for compensating a variable pretension of the first and second drive means/elements (10a, 10b) in order to ensure a substantially constant tension of the closing means/element (4).

Claims

1. A device for regulating an air flow for a front end module of a motor vehicle, comprising a closing element for closing air inlets of a front end module of a motor vehicle, a guide element for guiding the closing element during an opening and a closing movement of the closing element, a first and a second control element for controlling an opening and a closing movement of the closing element, a first and a second drive element for driving an opening and a closing movement of the closing element, wherein the first and second control elements comprise a multi-part integrated tension and tolerance compensation mechanism for compensating a variable pretension of the first and second drive elements to ensure a substantially constant tension of the closing element.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second control elements have receiving elements which are arranged at the ends and have a receiving region for receiving the drive elements.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control elements each have a connecting elements for connecting the receiving elements to the guide element, it being possible for the connecting elements to be connected to the guide element.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tension and tolerance compensation mechanism is operatively connected to the drive elements.

5. The device according claim 1, wherein the tension and tolerance compensation mechanism has at least one elastic element for compensating for a variable prestress.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the spring force of the elastic element is between 28 and 22 N.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning and tolerance-compensating mechanism has at least one front retaining point and one rear retaining point for fixing a front end and a back end of the elastic element.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the front retaining point is arranged inside the receiving elements.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the rear retaining point is arranged inside the connecting elements.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a plurality of front is or rear retaining points are provided for ensuring the setting of different spring prestressing forces.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the receiving elements or connecting elements have limitation elements for limiting a working area of the elastic elements.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second control elements are shaped in such a way that a diameter increase and diameter decrease of the guide element caused by the winding and unwinding of the closing element is compensated to minimize a difference in web speed when the guide element is wound and the drive elements are unwound and when the drive elements are wound and the guide element is unwound.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second control elements have a varying diameter to compensate for a diameter increase and diameter decrease of the guide element caused by the winding and unwinding of the closing element.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the first and second control elements have a winding spiral for receiving the drive elements.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second control elements have a constant diameter.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the first and second control elements have a winding spiral for receiving the drive elements, the winding spiral having a variable pitch for compensating for a diameter increase and diameter decrease of the guide element caused by the winding and unwinding of the closing element.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein a first and a second diverting element are provided for deflecting the drive elements.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein a frame provided for receiving the diverting elements.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein the frame is additionally provided for supporting the closing element.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein the frame or the guide element is connected to the closing element in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein a mounting element is provided for connecting at least one of the frame or the guide element to the closing element.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the mounting element is formed in a plurality of parts.

23. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the frame or the guide element has a recess, arranged on the longitudinal side, for the insertion of the closing element and of the mounting element.

24. The device according to claim 1, wherein the recess is of wedge-shaped configuration and the mounting element is configured at least partially to correspond in shape to the wedge-shaped recess, in order to prevent the closing element from being pulled out in the loading direction of the closing element.

25. The device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting element is formed in three parts, the mounting element having a first cuboidal part and a second and third part which are formed at least partially in a shape-corresponding manner with respect to the recess.

26. The device-according to claim 1, wherein the mounting element has a recess for the partial insertion of the closing element.

27. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second drive elements are in the form of cable pulls.

28. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guide element is formed in the form of a winding shaft onto which the closing element can be wound during an opening movement and from which the closing element can be unwound during a closing movement.

29. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guide element is formed in the form of an extruded profile.

30. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guide element has two recesses arranged on the outer sides for receiving the control elements.

31. The device according to claim 1, wherein the recesses arranged on the outer sides are configured to correspond in shape to the outer shape of the control elements.

32. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guide element is formed from a lightweight material having a density of less than 3 g/cm.sup.3.

33. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guide element is arranged between the first and second control elements in such a way that the main alignment axis of the guide element is aligned essentially perpendicular to an opening and closing movement of the closing element.

34. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control elements are connected to the closing element via the drive elements.

35. The device according to claim 1, wherein a drive means is provided for driving the drive elements.

36. A front end module for a motor vehicle, comprising a device according to claim 1.

37. A motor vehicle comprises a device for regulating an air flow for a front end module according to claim 1.

Description

[0047] It shows:

[0048] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a front end module of a motor vehicle, comprising a device according to the invention for regulating air flow for a front end module of a motor vehicle,

[0049] FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for regulating air flow for a front end module of a motor vehicle in an open state, in an exploded view according to a first embodiment,

[0050] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for regulating air flow for a front end module of a motor vehicle in a closed form according to a first embodiment,

[0051] FIG. 4 a schematic representation of an enlarged view of part of the device shown in FIG. 3,

[0052] FIG. 5 a schematic representation of a guide means/element according to the invention for guiding a closing means/element in a spatial representation (top) and a sectional representation along a longitudinal direction (bottom) according to a first embodiment,

[0053] FIG. 6 a schematic representation of a control means/element according to the invention in an assembled state (top) and a disassembled state (bottom) according to a first embodiment,

[0054] FIG. 7 a schematic representation of a control means/element according to the invention together with a guide means/element according to the invention in an assembled state (top) and a disassembled state (bottom) according to a first embodiment,

[0055] FIG. 8 a schematic representation of a control means/element according to the invention in a top view of the winding axis according to a first embodiment,

[0056] FIG. 9 a schematic representation of a first variable diameter control means/element according to a first embodiment,

[0057] FIG. 10 a schematic representation of a first control means/element with a variable diameter according to a second embodiment,

[0058] FIG. 11 a schematic representation of the cross-section of the control means/elements according to the invention as shown in FIG. 9 (FIG. 11a) and FIG. 10 (FIG. 11b),

[0059] FIG. 12 a schematic representation of a first control means/element having a constant diameter according to a first embodiment,

[0060] FIG. 13 a schematic representation of a possibility of form-fitting fixing of a closing means/element according to a first embodiment example,

[0061] FIG. 14 a schematic representation of a possibility of form-fitting fixing of a closing means/element according to a second embodiment,

[0062] FIG. 15 a schematic representation of a possibility of form-fitting fixing of a closing means/element according to a third embodiment,

[0063] FIG. 16 a schematic representation of a possibility of positive form-fitting of a closing means/element according to a fourth embodiment,

[0064] FIG. 17 a schematic representation of a possibility of form-fitting fixing of a closing means/element according to a fifth embodiment.

[0065] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a front end module 1 of a motor vehicle, comprising a device for regulating an air flow 2 for a front end module 1 of a motor vehicle according to the invention, wherein the device 2 regulates an air flow by closing air inlets 38 of the front end module 1.

[0066] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a device 2 according to the invention for regulating air flow for a front end module 1 of a motor vehicle, in an exploded view according to a first embodiment. Here, the device 2 comprises a closing means/element 4 for closing air inlets 38 of a front end module of a motor vehicle, a guide means/element 6 for guiding the closing means/element 4 during an opening and a closing movement of the closing means/element 4, a first and a second control means/element 8a, 8b for controlling an opening and a closing movement of the closing means/element 4, and a first and a second drive means/element 10a, 10b for driving an opening and a closing movement of the closing means/element 4. In this regard, the first and second control means/elements 8a, 8b comprise an integrated tensioning and tolerance compensation mechanism 12 (not identifiable in the present case) formed in multiple parts for compensating a variable pretension of the first and second drive means/elements 10a, 10b in order to ensure a substantially constant tension of the closing means/element 4.

[0067] The guide means/element 6 in question can in this case be formed in particular in the form of a winding shaft onto which the closing means/element 4, which can preferably be formed in the form of a tear-resistant textile, is wound during an opening movement and from which the closing means/element 4 is unwound during a closing movement. In the present case, the guide means/element 6 is arranged between the first and second control means/elements 8a, 8b in such a way that the main alignment axis X of the guide means/element 6 is aligned essentially perpendicular to an opening movement and a closing movement of the closing means/element 4.

[0068] The first and second drive means/elements 10a, 10b are designed/configurated in particular in the form of cable pulls, in this case in the form of Bowden cables, by means of which the closing means/element 4 can be wound up and unwound.

[0069] According to the present embodiment, the control means/elements 8a, 8b are preferably connected to the closing means/element 4 via the drive means/elements 10a, 10b, so that the drive means/elements 10a, 10b are wound up by the control means/elements 8a, 8b during an opening movement and unwound from the control means/elements 8a, 8b during a closing movement.

[0070] The device 2 further comprises a frame 30 for receiving the diverting means/elements 20, wherein the frame 30 in the present case comprises two lateral frame parts 31 for guiding the drive means/elements 10a, 10b as well as a lower frame part 32 for arranging a terminating strip 34.

[0071] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a device 2 according to the invention for regulating air flow for a front end module 1 of a motor vehicle in a closed form according to a first embodiment.

[0072] In contrast to the illustration shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows in particular the winding spiral 13 for unwinding the drive means/elements 10a, 10b, which are part of the first and second control means/elements 8a, 8b.

[0073] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of an enlarged view of a part of the device 2 shown in FIG. 3, from which the winding spiral 13 of the second drive means/element 8b can be seen in even greater detail.

[0074] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a guide means/element 6 according to the invention for guiding a closing means/element 4 in a spatial representation (top) and a sectional representation along a longitudinal direction (bottom) according to a first embodiment.

[0075] From FIG. 5, it can be seen in particular that the first and second control means/elements 8a, 8b have receiving means/elements 14 arranged at the ends and having a receiving region 14′ for receiving the drive means/elements 10a, 10b, which in the present case are of identical design/configuration to one another.

[0076] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a control means/element 8b according to the invention in an assembled state (top) and in a disassembled state (bottom) according to a first embodiment.

[0077] According to the disassembled state shown below, it can be seen that the control means/element 8b according to the invention comprises a receiving means/elements 14 arranged at the end with a receiving area 14′ for receiving the drive means/elements 10a, 10b, a connecting means/elements 16b for connecting the receiving means/elements 14 to the guide means/element 6, and a tensioning and tolerance compensation mechanism 12 arranged between the receiving means/elements 14 and the connecting means/elements 16b, which tensioning and tolerance compensation mechanism 12 has an elastic means/element 18 and a front retaining point 7 and a rear retaining point 9 for fixing a front end and a back end 18a, 18b of the elastic means/element 18. In this case, the front retaining point 7 is arranged within the receiving means/elements 14 and is presently formed in the form of an elongated recess for inserting the front end 18a of the elastic means/element 18, whereas the rear retaining point 9 is arranged within the connecting means/elements 16b and is formed in the form of an elongated recess for inserting the back part 18b of the elastic means/element 18.

[0078] The receiving means/elements 14 further comprise two further front retaining points 7 for ensuring the adjustment of different spring biasing forces, which are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other in the present case. Furthermore, it can be seen from FIG. 6 that the connecting means/elements 16b comprises a limitation means/elements 17 for insertion into a limitation means/elements 17 arranged inside the receiving means/elements 14 in order to limit a working area of the elastic means/element 18. The limitation means/elements 17 of the connecting means/elements 16b may here be formed in the form of a projection, whereas the limiting means/elements of the receiving means/elements may, for example, be formed in the form of a corresponding recess. Finally, the bearing 19 can be seen, via which the connecting means/elements 16b can be connected to the guide means/element 6.

[0079] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a control means/element 8b according to the invention together with a guide means/element 6 according to the invention in the assembled state (top) and in the disassembled state (bottom) according to a first embodiment.

[0080] As can be seen according to FIG. 7, the second control means/element 8b can be connected to the guide means/element 6 via the extrusion profile arranged inside the guide means/element 6 by means of the bearing 19.

[0081] FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a control means/element 8b according to the invention in a top view of the winding axis according to a first embodiment.

[0082] As can be seen from FIG. 8, the front retaining points 7 arranged within the receiving means/elements 14 are presently arranged symmetrically (trigonally planar) with respect to each other, so that the front part 18a of the elastic means/element 18 can also be arranged in another retaining point 7 in order to generate different spring biasing forces.

[0083] FIG. 9 shows a schematic representation of a first control means/element 8a with a variable diameter according to a first embodiment.

[0084] As can be seen according to FIG. 9, the first control means/element 8a in the present case has a barrel-shaped geometry for winding the first drive means/element 10a, which serves in particular to compensate for a diameter increase and diameter decrease of the guide means/element 6 caused by the winding and unwinding of the closing means/element 4.

[0085] FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of a first control means/element 8a with a variable diameter according to a second embodiment example. According to the present second embodiment example, the first control means/element 8a has a frustoconical geometry for compensating for an increase and decrease in diameter of the guide means/element 6 caused by the winding and unwinding of the closing means/element 4.

[0086] FIG. 11 shows a schematic representation of the cross-section of the control means/elements according to FIG. 9 (FIG. 11a) and FIG. 10 (FIG. 11b).

[0087] Referring to FIG. 11a, it can be seen that the barrel-shaped geometry according to FIG. 9 has a parabolic cross-section with respect to the extended axis 11 of the guide means/element 6, whereas the frustoconical geometry according to FIG. 10 has a linear pitch with respect to the extended axis 11 of the guide means/element 6.

[0088] FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of a first control means/element 8a having a constant diameter, according to a first embodiment.

[0089] The first control means/element 8a according to FIG. 12 shows a cylindrical geometry and, in contrast to the embodiment examples according to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, no constant pitch of the winding spiral 13, but a variable pitch of the winding spiral 13, in order to achieve a compensation of a diameter increase and diameter decrease of the guide means/element 6 caused by the winding and unwinding of the closing means/element 4.

[0090] FIG. 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the possibility of form-fitting fixing of a closing means/element 4 according to a first embodiment.

[0091] According to the possibility illustrated in FIG. 13, a closing means/element 4 is fixed within a lower frame part 32 of a frame 30 by means of a present three-part mounting means/element 44. For this purpose, the closing means/element 4 is inserted into a first and a second slot recess 48 of the multi-part assembly means/element 44, before the assembly means/element 44 together with the inserted part of the closing means/element 4 is inserted laterally into the recess 46 of the lower frame part 32 arranged on the longitudinal side, so that the closing means/element 4 is fixed to the frame 30 in a manner such that it cannot be lost in the loading direction B of the closing means/element 4. In the present case, the present recess 46 has a wedge-shaped configuration and the mounting means/element 44 has a shape corresponding to the wedge-shaped configuration in order to prevent the locking means/element 4 from being pulled out in the loading direction B of the locking means/element 4.

[0092] FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the possibility of positive fixing of a closing means/element 4 according to a second embodiment.

[0093] In contrast to the first embodiment shown in accordance with FIG. 13, the closing means/element 4 is guided past the first and second parts of the present three-part assembly means/element 44 on both sides in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 for greater force transmission.

[0094] FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the possibility of form-fitting fixing of a closing means/element according to a third embodiment.

[0095] According to the third embodiment example, the mounting means/element 44 is also formed in three parts, having a first cuboidal part 44a and a second and third part 44b formed at least partially in a shape corresponding to the recess 46 of the lower frame part 32, wherein the parts 44a, 44b are presently formed relative to each other and arranged within the recess 46, in that the arrangement of the second and third parts 44b forms a slot recess 48 for the closing means/element 4 to pass through, the diameter of which gap is smaller than the diameter of the first cuboidal part 44a, so that the closing means/element 4 is prevented from being pulled out in the loading direction B of the closing means/element 4 when the cuboidal part 44a is wrapped around the closing means/element 4 and the wrapped cuboidal part 44 is arranged in the recess 46.

[0096] FIG. 16 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the possibility of form-fitting fixing of a closing means/element 4 according to a fourth embodiment.

[0097] According to the fourth embodiment, the mounting means/element 44 comprises a recess 50 for partial insertion of the closing means/element 4, which may additionally comprise, for example, clip connections or the like not shown herein. In the context of such an embodiment, the closing means/element 4 may, for example, be wrapped around the mounting means/element 44 one or more times for secure fixing before the part of the closing means/element 4 wrapped with the mounting means/element 44 is pushed laterally into the recess 46 of the lower frame part 32.

[0098] FIG. 17 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the possibility of form-fitting fixing of a closing means/element 4 according to a fifth embodiment.

[0099] According to this fifth embodiment example, the recess 46 arranged on the longitudinal side is not wedge-shaped but cuboid-shaped and additionally comprises a latching projection for preventing the possibility of a mounting means/element 44, which is likewise cuboid-shaped in the present case, from being passed through. According to the embodiments of FIG. 17, the mounting means/element 44 can, for example, either be simply wrapped around and inserted into a recess 50 or additionally be inserted into a recess before the part of the closing means/element 4 connected to the mounting means/element 44 is placed laterally in the recess 46. Furthermore, it is possible to attach the closing means/element 4 to the mounting means/element 44 without wrapping the mounting means/element, merely by inserting it into the recess 50.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0100] 1 Front end module [0101] 2 Device for regulating an air flow [0102] 4 Closing means/element [0103] 6 Guide means/element [0104] 7 Front retaining point [0105] 8a First control means/element [0106] 8b Second control means/element [0107] 9 Rear retaining point [0108] 10a First drive means/element [0109] 10b Second drive means/element [0110] 11 Extended axis of the guide means/element [0111] 12 Integrated tension and tolerance compensation mechanism [0112] 13 Winding spiral [0113] 14 Receiving means/elements [0114] 14′ Receiving area [0115] 16a First connecting means/element [0116] 16b Second connecting means/element [0117] 17 Limitation means/element [0118] 18 Elastic means/element [0119] 18a Front part of the elastic means/element [0120] 18b Back part of the elastic means/element [0121] 19 Bearing [0122] 20 Diverting means/element [0123] 30 Frame [0124] 31 Lateral Frame part [0125] 32 Lower frame part [0126] 34 Terminating strip [0127] 38 Air inlets [0128] 44 Mounting means/element [0129] 44a First cuboid part of the mounting means/element [0130] 44b Second and third part of the mounting means/element [0131] 46 Recess arranged on the longitudinal side [0132] 48 Slot recess [0133] 50 Recess [0134] B Loading direction [0135] X Main alignment axis