Patent Description:
Current active grille shutter systems use an actuator which is directly connected to the vane linkage and integrated into the frame in such a way that it is very difficult to service the actuator if repair is needed. There is a need to design an improved grille shutter linkage to allow servicing the actuator without dismantling the full active grille shutter assembly.

This invention changes the way the linkage works, from a direct-driven vane, or vanes, to an indirectly-driven linkage, which allows the actuator to de-couple from the vanes by means of a simple clip assembly. <CIT> discloses a device for regulating an airstream to a radiator device of a vehicle, wherein the airstream is guidable through at least one opening to the radiator device, with at least two cover elements for at least partially closing the opening in at least a closed position and a drive for moving the cover elements between the closed position and an open position for the at least partial release of the opening, with a driver being provided for the transfer of a movement of the drive to the cover elements, wherein the cover elements are arranged angled towards one another.

The present invention relates to a serviceable actuation arrangement for an active grille shutter system with the features of claims <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively.

The arrangement includes a linkage having two vertical link arms spaced apart by a bridge. Each of the two vertical link arms has a plurality of vane connection posts. Connected to the bridge is an actuator that has a first drive arm with a pivot aperture position between the actuator and the bridge. There is also a second drive arm with a pivot aperture position between the actuator in the bridge.

In order to secure the actuator to the linkage there is provided a connector clip. The connector clip includes a first pivot post that extends through the bridge and the pivot aperture of the first drive arm and a second pivot post extending through the bridge and the pivot aperture of the second drive arm. The connector clip when attached allows the first drive arm and second drive arm to move the linkage through the connection at the bridge, which is secured by the connector clip. If removing the actuator is needed the connector clip allows for the fast disconnection of the actuator by removing the first pivot post and the second pivot post from their respective pivot apertures of the first drive arm and second drive arm. This then allows the actuator to be removed from the arrangement and serviced, without having to disassemble the vanes from the linkage.

Referring to <FIG>, the present invention is directed to a serviceable actuation arrangement <NUM> for an active grille shutter system <NUM>. The serviceable actuation arrangement <NUM> includes a linkage with <NUM> having vertical link arms <NUM>, <NUM> spaced apart by a bridge <NUM>. The bridge <NUM> has a clearance opening <NUM> defined by a curved surface <NUM> of the bridge <NUM>. The clearance opening <NUM> includes a first fixed arm <NUM> defining a first side of the clearance opening <NUM> and a second fixed arm <NUM> defining a second side of the clearance opening <NUM>. The first fixed arm <NUM> and the second fixed arm <NUM> each have an aperture <NUM>, <NUM>.

The two vertical link arms <NUM>, <NUM> of the linkage <NUM> include a plurality of vane connection posts <NUM>, <NUM>' that connect to apertures <NUM>, <NUM>' on vanes 35a, <NUM>, which are shown as two banks of vanes with a left bank of vanes 35a and a right bank of vales 35b. The vane connection posts <NUM>, <NUM>' can be round protrusions or any type of protrusion capable of sliding into and connecting to a vane member in a manner that allows rotation of the vanes <NUM> about the plurality connection posts <NUM>, <NUM>'. Also depending on the application apertures are formed on the two vertical link arms and posts are formed on the vanes that connect to the apertures on the vertical link arms. The serviceable actuation arrangement <NUM> also includes an actuator <NUM> positioned between the first fixed arm <NUM> and the second fixed arm <NUM>, within the clearance opening <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> includes a first drive connection <NUM> and a second drive connection <NUM>, which are apertures through a housing <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> that provide access to a rotational force transmitting element. An example is a rotational force element is a hexagonal rotating gear coupled to a motor and located within the first drive connection <NUM> and the second drive connection <NUM>.

The serviceable actuation arrangement <NUM> also includes a first drive arm <NUM> position between the actuator <NUM> and the first fixed arm <NUM>. The first drive arm <NUM> is rotatably connected to the first drive connection <NUM> and the first removable arm <NUM> also has a pivot aperture <NUM> that aligns with the aperture <NUM> of the first fixed arm <NUM>. There is also a second drive arm <NUM> positioned between the actuator <NUM> and the second fixed arm <NUM>. The second drive arm <NUM> is rotatably connected to the second drive connection <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. The second removable arm <NUM> also has a pivot aperture <NUM> that aligns with the aperture <NUM> of the second fixed arm <NUM>.

The serviceable actuation arrangement <NUM> further includes a clip <NUM> having a pivot rod <NUM> connected to the bridge <NUM> of the linkage <NUM>. The connection between the clip <NUM> and bridge <NUM> of the linkage <NUM> is a snap fit connection <NUM> that allows for rotation of the pivot rod <NUM> of the clip <NUM> with respect to the bridge <NUM>. The clip <NUM> includes two parallel arced bows that include a first parallel arced bow <NUM> and a second parallel arced bow <NUM>, that both extend in parallel to each other from opposing ends of the pivot rod <NUM>. A first pivot post <NUM> extends from the end of the first parallel arced bow <NUM> toward the second parallel arced bow <NUM>. The first pivot post <NUM> pivotally extends through both the aperture <NUM> of the first fixed arm <NUM> and the pivot aperture <NUM> of the first drive arm <NUM>. There is also a second pivot post <NUM> that extends from the second parallel arced bow <NUM>. The second pivot post <NUM> is pivotally extending through both the aperture <NUM> of the second fixed arm <NUM> and the pivot aperture <NUM> of the second drive arm <NUM> toward the first parallel arced bow <NUM>.

According to the present invention the vanes 35a, 35b are all driven by the linkage <NUM>, which is not connected, directly to the actuator <NUM>. The linkage <NUM> is connected to the actuator <NUM> via connector clip <NUM>, the first drive arm <NUM> and the second drive arm <NUM>, which can be disassembled to allow the actuator <NUM> to be removed without having to disassemble or disconnector vanes from the linkage <NUM>.

<FIG> depict how the actuator <NUM> is removed. In <FIG> the actuator <NUM> is connected to the linkage <NUM> and held in place by the clip <NUM> which prevented from rotating by the pivot rod <NUM> being held in place by a snap fit connection <NUM> formed on the bridge <NUM>. Also shown are retainer fingers <NUM>, <NUM> that extend from the first fixed arm <NUM> and second fixed arm <NUM> and also assist in securing the clip <NUM> by pressing the two parallel arced bows <NUM>, <NUM> inward. The retainer fingers <NUM>, <NUM> are an optional features and are not necessary for all embodiments of the invention. In <FIG> the pivot rod <NUM> has been released from the snap fit connection <NUM> and the two parallel arced bows <NUM>, <NUM> have been released from the retainer fingers <NUM>, <NUM>; allowing the clip <NUM> to rotate downward relative to <FIG>. When the clip <NUM> has been released, the parallel arced bows <NUM>, <NUM> can be flexed outward from each other to pull the first pivot post <NUM> and second pivot post <NUM> out of the apertures <NUM>, <NUM> of the first fixed arm <NUM> and second fixed arm <NUM>, as well as the respective pivot apertures <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective first drive arm <NUM> and second drive arm <NUM>. <FIG> shows the actuator <NUM> being removed from the linkage <NUM> once that clip <NUM> has been removed. The linkage <NUM> clears the actuator <NUM>, so the actuator <NUM> may be removed without dis-assembly of any other components within the active grille shutter system <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> can be further disassembled as shown in <FIG>. The shaped male connector <NUM> of first drive arm <NUM> slides out of the shaped female connector of the actuator <NUM>. Likewise the shaped male connector <NUM>' of the second drive arm <NUM> slides out of the shaped female connector <NUM>' of the actuator <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG> two additional variations of the first fixed arm or second fixed arm <NUM> are shown. <FIG> depicts a first fixed arm <NUM>' or second fixed arm <NUM>' having a thickness <NUM>'around an aperture <NUM>', <NUM>' that is lower in profile or thinner when compared to a thickness <NUM> of the variation shown in <FIG>. The lower profile provides clearance and packaging advantages for the area of the fixed arms <NUM>', <NUM>'. However, the lower profile presents a manufacturing disadvantage that requires the mold tooling used to form the linkage <NUM> have action features needed to expel the linkage <NUM> from the mold. The variation shown in <FIG>. Depicts a fixed arm <NUM> or second fixed arm <NUM> having two opposing U shaped curves <NUM>, <NUM><NUM> that are allow for the formed link <NUM> to be removed from the tooling without the need for action in the tooling.

In <FIG> a non-claimed embodiment a serviceable actuation arrangement <NUM> is shown. The serviceable actuation arrangement includes a frame portion <NUM> of an active grille shutter system. The frame portion <NUM> is depicted as being a center bar of an active grille shutter system, however, it is within the scope of the invention for the frame portion <NUM> to be a different portion of the frame such as a side bar, top bar, bottom bar or virtually another portion of the frame of the active grille shutter system. The frame portion <NUM> includes an actuator seating section <NUM> with a base <NUM> having an aperture <NUM> through the base <NUM>. There are also two opposing side walls 120a, 120b that each have an inside surface 122a, 122b facing the inward to create walls of the actuator seating section <NUM>. The opposing side walls 120a, 120b also have outside surfaces 124a, 124b. The opposing side walls 120a, 120b have a plurality of vane apertures <NUM>, <NUM>' that extend through from the respective inside surface 122a, 122b to the outside surface 124a, 124b. The vane apertures <NUM>, <NUM>' are configured to receive respective post 127a, 127b located on one of a plurality of driven vanes 130a, 130b. As shown there are six driven vanes 130a, 130b, which are shown as a left side bank of vanes and a right side bank of vanes, with the terms left and right being in relation to the frame portion <NUM> shown in <FIG>. While six driven vanes are shown it is within the scope of this invention for a greater or lesser number of driven vanes to be present depending on the needs of a particular application. Each bank of vanes also includes a drive vane 131a, 131b that is driven by an actuator <NUM> through various connections that will be discussed in greater detail below. Each left bank and right bank includes a link bar 132a, 132b that is connected to the respective drive vane 131a, 131b and driven vanes 130a, 130b. The link bar 132a, 132b serves to transfer rotational force from the respective drive vanes 131a, 131b to the driven vanes 130a, 130b.

The opposing side walls 120a, 120b each have a drive aperture <NUM>, <NUM>' with a drive element 134a, 134b rotatably extending through the drive aperture <NUM>, <NUM>'. In the present embodiment of the invention the drive element <NUM>, <NUM>' is formed through the drive aperture <NUM>, <NUM>' in the same mold using a two shot molding process, thereby eliminating the need for an additional assembly step. Each drive element 134a, 134b has a first end <NUM>, <NUM>' located within the actuator seating section <NUM> and a second end <NUM>, <NUM>' of the drive element 134a, 134b is located outside of the frame portion <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> has a housing <NUM> with drive shafts <NUM>, <NUM>' extending from the housing <NUM>. Each of the drive shafts <NUM>, <NUM>' is configured to be driven bi-directionally and are powered by a motor (not shown) located within the housing <NUM>. The first end <NUM>, <NUM>' of the drive element has a slot <NUM>, <NUM>' having an open edge <NUM>, <NUM>' which allows for the respective drive shafts <NUM>, <NUM>' to slide into the slot <NUM>, <NUM>' through the open edge <NUM>, <NUM>' so that the drive element 134a, 134b is driven bi-directionally with the actuator <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> housing <NUM> also includes a seat surface <NUM> configured to contact against the base <NUM>. A connector <NUM> extends from the seat surface <NUM> of the actuator housing <NUM> and provides a port for powering and controlling the movement of the motor of the actuator <NUM>. The connector <NUM> extends through the aperture <NUM> of the base <NUM> when the actuator <NUM> is placed in the actuator seating section <NUM>.

In order to align the drive shafts <NUM>, <NUM>' with the drive element 134a, 134b, there is provided a locator post <NUM> located above the base <NUM>. The locator post has an aperture <NUM> that is threaded to receive a fastener <NUM> that holds the actuator <NUM> in place. The fastener <NUM> is positioned through an aperture <NUM> formed on a flange <NUM> extending from the top surface of the housing <NUM>. While a fastener and threaded connections are shown it is within the scope of this invention for the locator post <NUM> and flange <NUM> to have a snap tab or mechanical clip connection.

In <FIG>, another non-claimed embodiment of a serviceable actuation arrangement <NUM> is shown with separate drive elements. The embodiment shown in <FIG> has similar structures to those shown in <FIG>, therefore the same reference numbers will be used, while different or new structures will be labelled with new reference numbers. The serviceable actuation arrangement <NUM> includes the frame portion <NUM> of an active grille shutter system. Two opposing side walls 120a, 120b that each have an inside surface 122a, 122b facing the inward to create walls of the actuator seating section <NUM>. The opposing side walls 120a, 120b also have outside surfaces 124a, 124b. The opposing side walls 120a, 120b have a plurality of vane apertures <NUM>, <NUM>' that extend through from the respective inside surface 122a, 122b to the outside surface 124a, 124b and serve as mounting holes for the driven vanes, just as described above with respect to <FIG>.

The opposing side walls 120a, 120b each have a drive aperture <NUM>, <NUM>' configured to receive a drive element 234a, 234b rotatably extending through the drive aperture <NUM>, <NUM>'. The drive element 234a, 234b in <FIG> differs from the drive element 134a, 134b in <FIG> it is a separate piece that is pushed into place through each respective drive aperture <NUM>, <NUM>' rather than being formed in the same mold as the frame portion <NUM> using a two shot molding process. This embodiment also allows the actuator <NUM> to be connected to the actuator seating section <NUM> prior to connection of the drive element 234a, 234b. When the drive element 234a, 234b is positioned through the respective drive aperture <NUM>, <NUM>' a first end <NUM>, <NUM>' will be located within the actuator seating section <NUM> and a second end <NUM>, <NUM>' of the drive element 134a, 134b is located outside of the frame portion <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> drive shafts <NUM>, <NUM>' are configured to connect with the first end <NUM>, <NUM>' of the drive element 234a, 234b. Near the first end <NUM>, <NUM>' is a slot <NUM>, <NUM>' having an open edge <NUM>, <NUM>' which allows for the respective drive shafts <NUM>, <NUM>' to slide into the slot <NUM>, <NUM>' through the open edge <NUM>, <NUM>' so that the drive element 234a, 234b is driven bi-directionally with the actuator <NUM>.

<FIG> is another non-claimed embodiment of a serviceable actuation arrangement <NUM> having similar structures to those shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, therefore the same reference numbers will be used, while different or new structures will be labelled with new reference numbers. The serviceable actuation arrangement <NUM> includes the frame portion <NUM> of an active grille shutter system. Two opposing side walls 120a, 120b that each have an inside surface 122a, 122b facing the inward to create walls of the actuator seating section <NUM>. The opposing side walls 120a, 120b also have outside surfaces 124a, 124b. The opposing side walls 120a, 120b have a plurality of vane apertures <NUM>, <NUM>' that extend through from the respective inside surface 122a, 122b to the outside surface 124a, 124b and serve as mounting holes for the driven vanes, just as described above with respect to <FIG>.

The opposing side walls 120a, 120b each have a drive aperture <NUM>, <NUM>' configured to receive a drive element 334a, 334b rotatably extending through the drive aperture <NUM>, <NUM>'. The drive element 334a, 334b in <FIG> differs from the drive element 234a, 234b in <FIG> in that they are integrated with a drive vane 331a, <NUM> b rather than being a separate piece. The integration of the drive vane 331a, <NUM> b is accomplished in many ways such as injection molding, welding or using adhesives. When the drive element 334a, 334b is positioned through the respective drive aperture <NUM>, <NUM>' a first end <NUM>, <NUM>' will be located within the actuator seating section <NUM> and a second end <NUM>, <NUM>' of the drive element 334a, 334b is located outside of the frame portion <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A serviceable actuation arrangement (<NUM>) for an active grille shutter system (<NUM>) comprising:
a linkage (<NUM>) having two vertical link arms (<NUM>, <NUM>) spaced apart by a bridge (<NUM>);
an actuator (<NUM>) connected to the bridge (<NUM>), wherein the actuator (<NUM>) moves the linkage (<NUM>) between a first position and a second position;
a first drive arm (<NUM>) with a pivot aperture (<NUM>) positioned between the actuator (<NUM>) and the bridge (<NUM>);
a second drive arm (<NUM>) with a pivot aperture (<NUM>) positioned between the actuator (<NUM>) and the bridge (<NUM>); and
a connector clip (<NUM>) having a first pivot post (<NUM>) and extending through the bridge (<NUM>) and the pivot aperture (<NUM>) of the first drive arm (<NUM>) and a second pivot post (<NUM>) extending through the bridge (<NUM>) and the pivot aperture (<NUM>) of the second drive arm (<NUM>),
characterized in that the connector clip (<NUM>) has a two parallel arced bows (<NUM>, <NUM>) connected together at one end by a pivot rod (<NUM>), wherein the pivot rod (<NUM>) is rotatably connected to the bridge (<NUM>) using a snap-fit tab (<NUM>) formed on the bridge (<NUM>) and the first pivot post (<NUM>) extends from a first one (<NUM>) of the two bows and the second pivot post (<NUM>) extends from a second one (<NUM>) of the two bows, such that the connector is rotatable about the first pivot post (<NUM>) and second pivot post (<NUM>) when the pivot rod (<NUM>) is disconnected from the snap-fit tab (<NUM>) of the bridge (<NUM>).