IP Library Granted Patent US 11,731,503
Granted Patent B2
US 11,731,503 · App. 17/121,964 · Granted Aug 22, 2023

Active grid device for motor vehicles

Inventors: Cyrille Guyon (Nommay, FR); Yann Clapié (Stammham, DE); Bertrand Thoulouze (Gaimersheim, DE)
Assignee: Flex-N-Gate France
B60K11/085B60K11/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,731,503
App. No.
17/121,964
Granted
Aug 22, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An active gate device, comprising first and second flaps, capable of pivoting between a closed position and an open position; first and second cam tracks; and first and second mechanisms connecting the flaps to the cam tracks. The device further comprises: a rotary actuating lever; and first and second shoes slidable in the first and second cam tracks, respectively. The actuating lever is pivotable between three configurations, such that: in the first configuration, each flap is in the closed position; in the second configuration, the first flap is in the open position and the second flap is in the closed position; and in the third configuration, each flap is in the open position.

Claims (52)

1. A grid device, comprising:

a frame;

a first mobile assembly, comprising at least a first flap capable of pivoting with respect to the frame between a closed position and an open position;

a second mobile assembly comprising at least one second flap capable of pivoting with respect to the frame between a closed position and an open position;

first and second cam tracks; and

a first and a second coupling mechanism connecting the first and second mobile assemblies, respectively to the first and second cam track, each of the first and second coupling mechanisms comprising at least one connecting rod;

said connecting rod of the first coupling mechanism being connected to the first flap, so as to allow said first flap to pivot between the closed and open positions;

said connecting rod of the second coupling mechanism being connected to the second flap, so as to allow said second flap to pivot between the closed and open positions;

wherein:

the first and second cam tracks are fixed relative to the frame; and

the device also comprises:

an operating lever rotatable relative to the frame; and

a first and a second shoe, mobile in translation with respect to the actuating lever, said first and second shoes being able to slide respectively in the first and second cam tracks;

the connecting rod of each of the first and second coupling mechanisms being articulated respectively on the first and second shoes; and the first and second shoes being articulated respectively on the first and second cam tracks;

the operating lever can be rotated in relation to the frame between a first, second and third configuration, wherein:

in the first configuration, each of the first and second flaps is in the closed position;

in the second configuration, the first flap is in the open position and the second flap is in the closed position; and

in the third configuration, each of the first and second flaps is in the open position.

2. The grid device according to claim 1 , further comprising an actuator connected to the actuating lever, said actuator being capable of pivoting said lever relative to the frame between the first, second and third configurations.

3. The grid device according to claim 1 , wherein the first cam track comprises an active portion and an inactive portion, configured such that:

pivoting of the actuating lever between the first and second configurations causes the first shoe to slide in the active portion of the first cam track; and

pivoting the operating lever between the second and third configurations causes the first shoe to slide into the inactive portion of the first cam track.

4. The grid device according to claim 3 , configured so that the sliding of the first shoe in the active portion of the first cam track leads to a translation of the connecting rod of the first coupling mechanism, so as to cause the first flap to pivot between the closed and open positions.

5. The grid device according to claim 1 , in which the second cam track comprises an inactive portion and an active portion, configured so that:

pivoting of the actuating lever between the first and second configurations causes the second shoe to slide in the inactive portion of the second cam track; and

pivoting the operating lever between the second and third configurations causes the second shoe to slide into the active portion of the second cam track.

6. The grid device according to claim 5 , configured so that sliding of the second shoe in the active portion of the second cam track leads to a translation of the connecting rod of the second coupling mechanism, so as to cause the second flap to pivot between the closed and open positions.

7. The grid device according to claim 1 , in which:

the first movable assembly comprises a plurality of first flaps, capable of pivoting with respect to the frame between a closed position and an open position according to distinct and parallel axes; and

the first coupling mechanism comprises a first transmission element articulated to each of said first flaps, said first transmission element being articulated to the connecting rod of said first coupling mechanism.

8. The grid device according to claim 1 , in which:

the second movable assembly comprises a plurality of second flaps, capable of pivoting with respect to the frame between a closed position and an open position along distinct and parallel axes; and

the second coupling mechanism comprises a second transmission element articulated to each of said second flaps, said second transmission element being articulated to the connecting rod of said second coupling mechanism.

9. A motor vehicle comprising a grid device,

a frame;

a first mobile assembly, comprising at least a first flap capable of pivoting with respect to the frame between a closed position and an open position;

a second mobile assembly comprising at least one second flap capable of pivoting with respect to the frame between a closed position and an open position;

first and second cam tracks; and

a first and a second coupling mechanism connecting the first and second mobile assemblies, respectively to the first and second cam track,

each of the first and second coupling mechanisms comprising at least one connecting rod;

said connecting rod of the first coupling mechanism being connected to the first flap, so as to allow said first flap to pivot between the closed and open positions;

said connecting rod of the second coupling mechanism being connected to the second flap, so as to allow said second flap to pivot between the closed and open positions;

wherein:

the first and second cam tracks are fixed relative to the frame; and

the device also comprises:

an operating lever rotatable relative to the frame; and

a first and a second shoe, mobile in translation with respect to the actuating lever, said first and second shoes being able to slide respectively in the first and second cam tracks;

the connecting rod of each of the first and second coupling mechanisms being articulated respectively on the first and second shoes; and the first and second shoes being articulated respectively on the first and second cam tracks;

the operating lever can be rotated in relation to the frame between a first, second and third configuration, wherein:

in the first configuration, each of the first and second flaps is in the closed position;

in the second configuration, the first flap is in the open position and the second flap is in the closed position; and

in the third configuration, each of the first and second flaps is in the open position.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2020
From: GUYON, CYRILLE; CLAPIÉ, YANN; THOULOUZE, BERTRAND
To: FLEX-N-GATE FRANCE
Reel/Frame 054647/0811 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 19 14983 · Dec 19, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210188079A1 · Jun 24, 2021
Cited By (2)
US 12,325,296 US 12,508,897