Active Grille Shutter Multi-Axis Linkage for Curved Airflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle flow control systems face challenges in aligning shutters with the curvature of the vehicle while efficiently controlling airflow through multiple areas, requiring complex mechanisms to operate multiple shutters with a single actuator.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle flow control system utilizing multi-axis joints, such as ball-and-socket joints, to couple links and shutters, allowing them to pivot about transverse axes, driven by a single actuator shaft assembly, facilitating coordinated movement of shutters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple shutters are operated with a single actuator, then device complexity is reduced, but the mechanism becomes more complex to align with vehicle curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The link is designed to rotate about multiple axes (at least two link axes), adding dimensional freedom to the mechanism. This allows the link to accommodate the curvature of the vehicle while transmitting motion from a single actuator to multiple shutters, resolving the conflict between reducing actuator quantity and maintaining alignment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ball-and-socket joints that provide spherical freedom of motion, changing the rotational parameters from single-axis to multi-axis. This enables the link to pivot about transverse axes relative to both the shutter axis and actuator shaft assembly axis, facilitating alignment with vehicle curvature while maintaining a compact single-actuator configuration.
2Manufacturing precision
If shutters are aligned with vehicle curvature, then airflow control precision is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Ball-and-socket joints provide spherical freedom of motion that naturally accommodates curved surfaces and multi-axis orientations. This spherical joint design enables precise alignment of shutters with the curved geometry of the vehicle without requiring complex multi-component linkage mechanisms, thus achieving alignment precision while controlling device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a single actuator drives multiple shutters, then ease of operation is improved, but control precision to individual areas is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the control function by providing independent links for each shutter (first link for driver side shutter, second link for passenger side shutter). Each link can be independently adjusted and positioned, allowing the single actuator to control multiple shutters with sufficient precision for their respective locations while maintaining operational simplicity.
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
Enables efficient alignment and control of airflow through multiple vehicle compartments using a single actuator, simplifying the mechanism and enhancing operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a ball-and-socket joint rotatably couples the link to one of the shutter or the actuator shaft assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle flow control system, including: a shutter of an active grille shutter assembly, the shutter rotatable about a shutter axis; an actuator shaft assembly rotatable about an actuator shaft assembly axis; and a link rotatably coupling the shutter to the actuator shaft assembly, the link rotatable about at least two link axes relative to the shutter axis and relative to the actuator shaft assembly axis.