Vehicle Active Air Flap Shaft Segmentation for Skin Line Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing active air flap devices for vehicles, the rotating shaft and operating shaft of the flap are the same, leading to interference issues when the flap and bumper cover skins are integrated, which affects the operation and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
Designing the rotating shaft and operating shaft of the flap differently allows the flap to rotate by 90° or more while forming the same skin line as the bumper cover, preventing operation interference and enhancing aesthetic sensibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the rotating shaft and operating shaft of the flap are designed as the same shaft, then the structure is simple, but interference occurs during flap operation when skins are integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The single shaft is segmented into two separate shafts: a rotating shaft for rotational movement and an operating shaft for operational control. This segmentation eliminates interference between the shafts during flap operation while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating shaft is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the rotating shaft, allowing both shafts to coexist without interference. This dimensional separation enables independent movement of each shaft while maintaining the integrated skin line appearance.
2Shape
If the flap rotates by 90° or more to form the same skin line as the bumper cover, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but operation interference occurs between neighboring flap parts
Solution Approach 1:
The flap structure is divided into multiple independent flap parts, each with its own rotating shaft and operating shaft. This segmentation allows each flap part to rotate independently by 90° or more to form the same skin line without interfering with adjacent flap parts.
Solution Approach 2:
Each flap part is positioned in a different spatial dimension or orientation, allowing simultaneous rotation of multiple flap parts without operational interference. This enables full aesthetic integration while maintaining independent operability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the rotating shaft and operating shaft are positioned at the same location, then manufacturing is simplified, but the flap cannot achieve full rotation without interference
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft system is segmented into rotating and operating shafts positioned at different locations. This allows the flap to achieve full rotation (90° or more) without interference, while the separate positioning of shafts maintains manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
A link part serves as an intermediary mechanism connecting the operating shaft to the rotating shaft. This intermediary allows the operating shaft to control the rotating shaft's movement, enabling full rotation while keeping the shafts positioned at different locations for ease of manufacture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables the flap to operate smoothly without interference between neighboring flap parts, improving both functionality and aesthetic appeal by allowing the flap to form a seamless skin line with the bumper cover.
Implementation Method 1
one or more flap parts rotatably mounted in the housing part
Implementation Method 2
a link part connected to the flap part; a loader part mounted in the link part; and a driving part configured to rotate the loader part
Data Source
AI summary
An active air flap device for a vehicle may include: a housing part mounted in a bumper cover part; one or more flap parts rotatably mounted in the housing part, and exposed to the outside through a hole formed in the bumper cover part to form the same skin line as the bumper cover part; a link part connected to the flap part; a loader part mounted in the link part; and a driving part configured to rotate the loader part.