US 11,807,186 B1
Active grille shutters for vehicles including integrated pedestrian guards
Jasvir Singh, Novi, MI (US); and Spencer Boyd, III, Novi, MI (US)
Assigned to Nissan North America, Inc., Franklin, TN (US)
Filed by Nissan North America, Inc., Franklin, TN (US)
Filed on Aug. 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/885,182.
Int. Cl. B60R 21/34 (2011.01); B60K 11/08 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 21/34 (2013.01) [B60K 11/085 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body;
a support structure connected to the vehicle body and configured to provide a framework for one or more thermal components of the vehicle;
a reinforcement member connected to the vehicle body and configured to absorb impact forces;
an active grille shutter connected to the support structure, the active grille shutter including:
a main body;
at least one shutter movably connected to the main body; and
an actuator operably connected to the at least one shutter to facilitate opening and closure thereof to vary airflow into the vehicle; and
a pedestrian guard directly connected to the active grille shutter and configured for contact with a pedestrian's leg to protect the pedestrian's leg during an impact, wherein the pedestrian guard extends axially forward of the reinforcement member along a length of the vehicle, wherein the main body and the pedestrian guard are formed unitarily from a single piece of material.