Patent ID: 8814638
Filing Date: 2014-08-26
Classification: B60K,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A variable duct apparatus which is arranged between each of a bumper and an upper opening, and a radiator in a vehicle to control outside air flowing in to the radiator, the bumper being divided via a lower opening into a bumper upper portion extending in a vehicle width direction and a bumper lower portion extending in the vehicle width direction along and below the bumper upper portion, the upper opening being arranged above the bumper and formed above and along the bumper upper portion, the upper opening and the radiator being arranged opposed to each other, comprising: a variable louver provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction between the upper opening and the radiator, the variable louver swinging between the upper opening and the radiator so as to block or allow communication between the upper opening and the radiator to control an amount of the outside air admitted to the radiator; a lower louver provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction between the lower opening and the radiator, the lower louver includes a blocking surface which has a wing-shaped cross-section that curves while gradually decreasing in thickness from a proximal end toward a distal end, and the lower louver swinging between the lower opening and the radiator so as to block or allow communication between the lower opening and the radiator to control an amount of the outside air admitted to the radiator; and a link mechanism that coordinates and synchronizes the blocking or allowing of communication between the upper opening and the radiator and between the lower opening and the radiator by the variable louver and the lower louver, respectively, and the link mechanism includes: the lower link includes: upon application of an external force to the lower louver in a state where communication between the lower opening and the radiator has been blocked by swinging of the lower louver, the fitting between the fitting portion of the lower link bracket and the lower link arm is released by driving of the link base portion, causing the lower link arm to shift in the rearward direction of the vehicle along the first guide piece.