Active air flap apparatus for vehicle

• US 8,887,846 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2012
• Issued: 11/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Yoo, Gil Sang
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Hau
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEYER, JACOB B
• Application Number:
  US13/714,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20140117709A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 180/68.1, 180/68.2, 180/68.3, 180/232, 180/274, 296/193.09, 296/193.1
• US Class Current: 180/68.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/085 with adjustable shutters or blinds
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

An active air flap for a vehicle can absorb shock energy by a wing of a housing which pivots in a collision with a pedestrian and can minimize the pedestrian injury as possible.

Claims

1. An active air flap apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:

a duct fixed to a front end module; and

a housing coupled to the duct, wherein the housing further includes;

a body fixed to the duct, wherein an air flap is rotatably coupled to the body; and

a pair of wings coupled to both sides of the body, respectively, to be pivotable forward/backward with respect to the body;

wherein the wings and the air flap are decoupled to each other.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rotary module connected to the body and the wings to allow the wings to pivot.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sliding module connecting the wings with the duct to allow the wings to slide with respect to the duct, when the wings pivot.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the rotary module comprises:

a rotary pipe vertically fixed to the wing; and

a fixed shaft with both ends fixed to the body by extending vertically through the rotary pipe.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the rotary module further comprises a return spring wound around the rotary pipe, has one end fixed to the body and the other end fixed to the wings, and provides an elastic return force to the pivot of the wings.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sliding module comprises:

a guide rail bracket fixed to the duct and having a guide groove extending forward/backward; and

a slider coupled to the wings and having an integral protrusion fitted in the groove and moving along the guide groove.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein rotational axes of the wings and the air flap are not coaxial.