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 ).

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.