Patent Description:
Some automotive vehicles include an aerodynamic blade integrated in a rear spoiler in order to influence the drag of the vehicle and/or improve brake behavior. Indeed, the aerodynamic blade is an extension of the roof of the vehicle in the rear portion of this latter and allows, when the vehicle is in motion, to push back the vortices formed by an airflow leaving the roof as far as possible from the vehicle. Those vortices are less able to exert a restraining force on the vehicle because they are further from the vehicle. Some other spoilers are mobile in rotation or in rotation and in translation in order to increase the down force of the vehicle.

It is possible to reduce the drag of the vehicle using a mobile aerodynamic blade.

Following this purpose, the mobile aerodynamic blade can be deployed and retracted in function of the vehicle speed. In other words, and when the vehicle moving at reduced speed, there is no need to deploy the aerodynamic blade which is retracted in the rear spoiler, more particularly in a cavity located between an inner panel and an outer panel of the rear spoiler. When the vehicle reaches a speed greater than a specified threshold value, the aerodynamic blade is deployed in order to reduce the drag as explained above. A further advantage of such an aerodynamic blade is that the external appearance of the vehicle is not impacted thanks to the retracted position of the mobile aerodynamic blade.

In order to allow a deployment and a retraction of the aerodynamic blade, an actuating device is located inside the cavity of the rear spoiler. This actuating device is constituted by a drive unit formed by a motor connected to a center gear wheel connected to a translation element. This actuator is located below the aerodynamic blade and is able to cooperate with a rack placed at the interface between the center gear wheel and the aerodynamic blade and rigidly attached to the aerodynamic blade.

When it is necessary to deploy the aerodynamic blade, the drive unit is activated and the gear wheel is set in motion (in rotation around a horizontal axis) in order to deploy the aerodynamic blade. When it is needed to retract the aerodynamic blade, the motor is activated in order to set in motion the gear wheel in opposite running rotation and to retract the aerodynamic blade.

In such a configuration, the main issue is that the actuating device and the blade extend on a large space in a vertical direction when this assembly is mounted into the cavity of the rear spoiler. This can prevent to place the actuating device in a part of the cavity which could be favorable. It can even be necessary to design a specific area to integrate the actuating device. Consequently, the actuating device and its positioning inside the rear spoiler do not allow designing the rear spoiler with a large flexibility because it is necessary to anticipate the fitting of the actuating device. This may lead to an unsatisfactory result in aesthetic terms.

Furthermore, an enlargement of the cavity would lead to a lowering of the rear spoiler inner panel and would affect the available space over rear passengers' head. It is not possible to use actuators too small because of the power needed to deploy and retract the aerodynamic blade.

Documents <CIT> and <CIT> disclose actuating devices according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The aim of the invention is to provide an actuating system of a mobile aerodynamic blade for an automotive vehicle rear spoiler allowing overcoming the issues listed above.

The invention consists in an actuating device according to claim <NUM>.

Thanks to this configuration which consists in a burst of the actuating device in a transversal direction of an automotive vehicle on which the actuating device is mounted, the thickness of the actuating device being smaller than in the prior art in a vertical direction. Indeed, the sliding unit, which can for example include a rack, cooperates with the outer gear wheel and is located far from the actuator, running thanks to the transmission of movement element. It is not necessary, as in the prior art, to place every elements at the same location. Furthermore, this arrangement allows to push or pull the blade on both sides of the sliding units, which ensures a proper driving without the stick-slip effect or tilting which occurs on a single or center side actuation.

Known designs (e.g. sun roof) have a push pull cable this design ensures also an actuation on both sides of a moving device but needs a lot additional space for the routing of the cable in vertical direction.

The described design connects the strength of a both side actuated push pull cable and a center drive unit like on a single actuated system and needs only little space in a longitudinal direction with an higher efficiency. An further development is that the sliding units can be combined with an rack. This ensures short force flow and small elasticities and compact design.

Consequently, it is possible to place the actuating device in a narrower space and to be freer in the rear spoiler design. It is also possible to use a larger motor with enough power to deploy and retract the aerodynamic blade.

Furthermore, with this configuration, it is possible to deploy and retract the mobile aerodynamic blade faster due to a greater speed-reduction gear ratio with a powerful motor thanks to several of gears which allow more freedom to design the actuating device.

According to the invention, the outer gear wheel is a double gear wheel comprising a first level cooperating with the transmission of movement element and a second level cooperating with the sliding unit.

The actuating device according to the invention can also comprise at least one of the following features:.

The invention also concerns a mobile aerodynamic blade for an automotive vehicle rear spoiler comprising an actuating device according to the invention.

The mobile aerodynamic blade according to the invention can also comprise at least one of the following features:.

The invention also concerns an automotive vehicle rear spoiler comprising a mobile aerodynamic blade according to the invention placed in a cavity formed into a main body of the rear spoiler.

The automotive vehicle rear spoiler according to the invention can also comprise the following feature: the mobile aerodynamic blade is attached to the main body of the rear spoiler by an attachment element extending in a longitudinal direction of the automotive vehicle and attached to a main body of the actuating device on which the actuator (<NUM>) and a rotation axis of the double gear wheel are attached.

The invention will be described in details, given only as an example and using the attached drawings in which:.

In the detailed description, the longitudinal direction (or axis) X, the transversal direction (or axis) Y and the vertical direction (or axis) Z make reference to the conventional directions of an automotive vehicle and are illustrated on the figures.

<FIG> show an actuating device <NUM> of a mobile aerodynamic blade (reference <NUM> on <FIG>) for an automotive vehicle <NUM> rear spoiler <NUM>. A explained above, this actuating device <NUM> cooperates with the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> and is placed in a cavity of an automotive vehicle <NUM> rear spoiler <NUM>, more specifically between an inner panel and an outer panel constituting the rear spoiler <NUM>. This rear spoiler <NUM> has an opening in its rear side following a longitudinal axis (direction X) of the automotive vehicle <NUM> on which the rear spoiler <NUM> is mounted, this opening allows the mobile aerodynamic blade to go back and forth depending on the speed of the automotive vehicle <NUM>. The mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> and the rear spoiler <NUM>, shown on <FIG>, are known for a skilled person and will not be described in details in this application.

The actuating device comprises a drive unit <NUM> comprising a motor <NUM> and a main gear wheel <NUM>.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, the motor <NUM> comprises an outlet axis on which the main gear wheel <NUM> is mounted in order to be set in motion by the motor <NUM>. The motor <NUM> is able to set the main gear wheel <NUM> in motion in two opposite directions.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the outlet axis of the motor <NUM> is linked to an endless screw <NUM> in contact with the main gear wheel <NUM> (in this case the main gear wheel <NUM> can be rotatable around an horizontal axis). The motor <NUM> is able to set the endless screw in motion, and consequently the main gear wheel <NUM>, in two opposite directions.

The actuating device <NUM> comprises a connector <NUM> to be linked to a power supply. The motor <NUM> is connected to an electronic control unit configured to activate this latter in order to deploy and retract the mobile aerodynamic blade in function of the automotive vehicle <NUM> speed as explained above. The motor <NUM> also comprises attaching means <NUM>, for example screws, to attach this latter to a main body <NUM> of the actuating device shown on <FIG>.

The actuating device <NUM> also comprises at least one outer gear wheel <NUM>, advantageously two as illustrated on the figures. The outer gear wheel is a double gear wheel. In the following description, we are going to described this possibility using the terms "double gear wheel <NUM>'".

The double gears wheels <NUM> are connected to the main gear wheel <NUM> by a transmission of movement element <NUM>. More precisely, the transmission of movement element <NUM> is connected to the main gear wheel and to a first level <NUM> of the double gear wheels <NUM>. In this configuration, the double gear wheels <NUM> are set in motion by the motor <NUM> and can be placed far from this latter. As described below, each other second level <NUM> of the double gear wheels <NUM> is in contact with a sliding unit <NUM> allowing to deploy and retract the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>. The second level <NUM> cooperating with the sliding unit has a larger diameter than first level <NUM> cooperating with the transmission of movement element <NUM>.

Advantageously, the two double gear wheels <NUM> are arranged on both sides of the main gear wheel. Preferably, the main gear wheel <NUM> is centered relative to the double gear wheels <NUM>. When the actuating device is located inside the rear spoiler <NUM>, the two assemblies double gear wheel <NUM> / sliding unit <NUM> are placed at the two extremities of the spoiler following a transverse direction (direction Y) of the automotive vehicle <NUM> on which the rear spoiler <NUM> is mounted. This allows a better guiding of the mobile aerodynamic blade.

All gear wheels of the actuating device <NUM> illustrated on the figures can be rotatable around different vertical axes of rotation when the actuating device is mounted in the automotive vehicle <NUM> rear spoiler <NUM>, as illustrated on <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>. Thus, the main gear wheel <NUM> and the double gear wheels <NUM> extend in a horizontal direction, which allows reducing the size of the actuating device <NUM> in a vertical direction (direction Z) of an automotive vehicle <NUM> comprising a rear spoiler <NUM> in which the actuating device <NUM> is placed. The motor <NUM> is turned according a <NUM>° angle regarding to the actuator of the prior art in order to place the main gear wheel <NUM> in such a horizontal direction. Regarding the double gear wheels <NUM>, their positioning is free and their rotation axes could be attached to the main body <NUM> of the actuating device <NUM>. Alternatively, and as illustrated on <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the main gear wheel <NUM> can be rotatable around a horizontal axis and the double gear wheels <NUM> can be rotatable around two different vertical axes. This configuration allows to use a different transmission of movement element <NUM> as described below.

The main gear wheel <NUM> and the double gear wheels <NUM> can be aligned, preferably in a longitudinal direction of the rear spoiler <NUM> in order to obtain a smaller actuating device <NUM> in a vertical direction.

The transmission of movement element <NUM> can be formed by a rack (for greater sustainability and yield), by an endless screw (flexible and consequently easy to integrate), by a helix flexible shaft placed into a sheath open in the contact areas between the endless screw and the main and double gear wheels. More broadly, the transmission of movement element <NUM> is able to perform a linear transmission of tensile and compressive force. This latter may be a push pull cable or a helix cable.

If it is formed by a rack, this latter has teeth in contact with teeth of the main gear wheel <NUM> and of the first level <NUM> of the double gear wheels <NUM>. When the main gear wheel <NUM> is set in rotation by the motor <NUM>, the rack is translated in one direction (translational direction <NUM>) and set in rotation, thanks to this movement, the double gear wheels <NUM>. The double gear wheels <NUM>, which cooperate with sliding units <NUM> thanks to their second level <NUM>, allow deploying the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> (thanks to the translational direction <NUM> of the sliding units <NUM>). When it is needed to retract the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> (for example because the automotive vehicle <NUM> speed is lower than a predetermined threshold value), the motor <NUM> sets in rotation the main gear wheel <NUM> in an opposite direction than for the deployment of the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>. The rack is translated in an opposite direction than for the deployment of the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> and sets in rotation, thanks to this movement, the double gear wheels <NUM> in an opposite direction than for the deployment of the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>. These latter allow, thanks to the sliding units <NUM>, to retract the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>.

If the transmission of movement element <NUM> is formed by an endless screw, this latter is in contact with teeth of the main gear wheel <NUM> and of the first level <NUM> of the double gear wheels <NUM>. When the main gear wheel <NUM> is set in rotation by the motor <NUM>, the endless screw is also set in rotation and translated (translational direction <NUM>) in one direction and sets in rotation, thanks to this movement, the double gear wheels <NUM>. The double gear wheels <NUM>, which cooperate with sliding units <NUM>, allow deploying the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> (thanks to the translational direction <NUM> of the sliding units <NUM>). When it is needed to retract the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>, the motor <NUM> sets in rotation the main gear wheel <NUM> in an opposite direction than for the deployment of the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>. The endless screw is set in rotation and translated in an opposite direction than for the deployment of the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> and sets in rotation, thanks to this movement, the double gear wheels <NUM> in an opposite direction than for the deployment of the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>. These latter allow, thanks to the sliding units <NUM>, to retract the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>.

If the transmission of movement element <NUM> is formed by a helix flexible shaft placed into a sheath open in the contact areas between the helix flexible shaft and the main and double gear wheels, this latter is in contact with teeth of the main gear wheel <NUM> and of the first level <NUM> of the double gear wheels <NUM>. When the main gear wheel <NUM> is set in rotation by the motor <NUM>, the helix flexible shaft is translated (translational direction <NUM>) in one direction and sets in rotation, thanks to this movement, the double gear wheels <NUM>. The double gear wheels <NUM>, which cooperate with sliding units <NUM>, allow deploying the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> (thanks to the translational direction <NUM> of the sliding units <NUM>). When it is needed to retract the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>, the motor <NUM> sets in rotation the main gear wheel <NUM> in an opposite direction than for the deployment of the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>. The helix flexible shaft is translated in an opposite direction than for the deployment of the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> and sets in rotation, thanks to this movement, the double gear wheels <NUM> in an opposite direction than for the deployment of the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>. These latter allow, thanks to the sliding units <NUM>, to retract the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG> illustrate another embodiment in which the transmission of movement element <NUM> is a rod integral with the main gear wheel (<NUM>) and comprising areas formed by a screw thread in contact with the outer gear wheel <NUM>, with the first level <NUM> of the double gear wheel <NUM> on figures. In such a configuration, the endless screw <NUM> linked to the outlet axis of the motor <NUM> sets in rotation the main gear wheel <NUM>. The rod is also set in rotation. Consequently, the areas formed by a screw thread set in rotation the double gear wheels <NUM> which, cooperating with sliding units <NUM>, allow deploying the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> (thanks to the translational direction <NUM> of the sliding units <NUM>). When it is needed to retract the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>, the endless screw <NUM> sets in rotation the main gear wheel <NUM> in an opposite direction than for the deployment of the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>. The rod is also put in rotation in an opposite direction than for the deployment of the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> and sets in rotation, thanks to this movement, the double gear wheels <NUM> in an opposite direction than for the deployment of the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>. These latter allow, thanks to the sliding units <NUM>, to retract the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>.

Other means than a rack, an endless screw, a helix flexible shaft or a rod as described above could be used to form the transmission of movement element <NUM>, for example a belt.

The sliding units <NUM> can be formed by a rack <NUM> cooperating with the second level <NUM> of the double gear wheels <NUM> and a slide <NUM> arranged for guiding the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>. Only one sliding unit <NUM> is illustrated on <FIG> cooperating with one double gear wheel <NUM>. The configuration is the same for the other double gear wheel <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>, two double gear wheels <NUM> with two sliding units <NUM>). The rack is oriented in order to cooperate with the second level <NUM> of a double gear wheel <NUM>.

As illustrated on the figures, the rack <NUM> and the slide <NUM> can be parts of a unique piece which ensure both guiding and motion transfer functions. The mobile aerodynamic blade main body <NUM> is rigidly attached to the slides <NUM>, for example using the through holes <NUM> shown on <FIG> and cooperating with other through holes made into the mobile aerodynamic blade main body <NUM> and attaching means such as screws or rivets. Other ways to attach the mobile aerodynamic blade main body <NUM> to the sliding units <NUM> are possible and known by a skilled person. Obviously, these latter are not directly attached to the main body <NUM> of the actuating device <NUM> in order to move when the motor <NUM> is activated. The configuration with two sliding units <NUM> as shown on figures is interesting because it allows to shorten the slide <NUM> and the rack <NUM> regarding the actuating devices of the prior art because the gear ratio between the main gear wheel <NUM> and the double gear wheels <NUM> is different. Thus, the actuating device <NUM> has no impact on the rear spoiler <NUM> sealing.

Alternatively, it could be possible to form the rack <NUM> directly on the mobile aerodynamic blade main body <NUM>, for example during the molding process of this latter. In this case, the slide <NUM> is a piece separated from the rack.

In a third embodiment, the rack <NUM> and the slide <NUM> are two pieces different from the mobile aerodynamic blade main body <NUM>.

As explained above, the double gear wheels <NUM> are set in rotation when a deployment or a retraction of the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> is needed. The second level <NUM> of the gear wheels <NUM> allows to translate the sliding units <NUM> thanks to the rack <NUM> in two opposite directions in order to deploy or retract the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>.

When there are several sliding units <NUM>, these latter are preferably parallel to ensure an optimal a deployment and retraction of the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM>.

Thanks to the form (the section) of the slides <NUM>, these latter can guide the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> in a vertical direction (direction Z) and in a transverse direction (Y) of the automotive vehicle <NUM> on which the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> is mounted.

As explained above, the actuating device also comprises a main body <NUM> (visible on <FIG>) on which the motor <NUM> and the rotation axes of the double gear wheels can be attached. The other parts of the actuating device <NUM> (transmission of movement element <NUM>, sliding units <NUM>, etc.) are not attached to the main body <NUM>.

In the example illustrated on the figures, the main body <NUM> of the actuating device <NUM> is attached (glued, screwed, etc.) to an attachment element <NUM> which allow to connect the main body <NUM> of the actuating device to a wall of the rear spoiler <NUM> cavity (after having attach the mobile aerodynamic blade <NUM> on the actuating device).

Claim 1:
Actuating device (<NUM>) for a mobile aerodynamic blade for an automotive vehicle (<NUM>) rear spoiler (<NUM>), comprising a drive unit (<NUM>) comprising a motor (<NUM>) and a main gear wheel (<NUM>), the actuating device (<NUM>) comprising :
- at least one outer gear wheel (<NUM>), and
- a transmission of movement element (<NUM>),
the transmission of movement element (<NUM>) being connected to the main gear wheel (<NUM>) and to the outer gear wheel (<NUM>), the outer gear wheel (<NUM>) cooperating with a sliding unit (<NUM>) allowing to deploy and retract the mobile aerodynamic blade, characterized in that the outer gear wheel (<NUM>) is a double gear wheel comprising a first level (<NUM>) cooperating with the transmission of movement element (<NUM>) and a second level (<NUM>) cooperating with the sliding unit (<NUM>).