Active Grille Shutter with Integrated Heat Exchange Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active grille shutters in vehicles reduce airflow to the engine cooling module when closed, affecting fuel economy and airflow efficiency, necessitating a system that maintains adequate airflow and heat transfer regardless of shutter position.
Innovation Solution
A combined heat exchanger and active grille shutter assembly featuring rotatable shutters with conduits for fluid flow and heat transfer, integrated with an actuator to rotate shutters between open and closed positions, ensuring airflow and heat dissipation whether shutters are open or closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If active grille shutters are closed to reduce drag and improve fuel economy, then fuel economy is improved, but airflow through the engine cooling module is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the active grille shutter and heat exchanger into a single integrated assembly. The shutter body itself serves as the heat exchanger structure, with conduits for fluid flow built into the shutter. This merging allows the system to maintain heat exchange capability while the shutter is in the closed position for drag reduction, as the fluid can still flow through the integrated conduits and exchange heat with the surrounding air.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: the shutter controls airflow for drag reduction while the embedded conduits perform heat exchange. The same structural component (the shutter) serves both as a flow control device and as a heat exchanger, allowing the system to achieve both aerodynamic efficiency and thermal management without requiring separate components.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If active grille shutters are closed to reduce drag, then drag is reduced, but heat dissipation capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shutter structure with the heat exchanger structure, embedding fluid conduits within the shutter body. This allows heat dissipation to occur through the shutter surfaces even when the shutter is closed for drag reduction, as the fluid flowing through the internal conduits can transfer heat to the external air through the shutter walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid conduits are nested within the shutter structure itself. The conduits are positioned inside the shutter body, allowing the fluid to flow through channels that are integral to the shutter. This nesting arrangement enables the inner fluid flow system to be contained within the outer shutter structure, facilitating heat transfer through the shutter material while maintaining a compact, aerodynamic form.
3Temperature
If a separate heat exchanger is used alongside active grille shutters, then heat exchange is maintained, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for a separate heat exchanger by integrating the heat exchange conduits directly into the shutter structure. The shutter body contains internal channels for fluid flow, and the shutter material itself acts as the heat transfer medium. This single integrated structure replaces what would traditionally require two separate components (shutter plus heat exchanger), reducing system complexity and space requirements.
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
This solution eliminates the need for a separate heat exchanger, saves space, and maintains airflow and heat dissipation efficiency across the vehicle, improving fuel economy and cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
A conduit of the shutter is configured to accommodate flow of fluid therethrough and permit heat transfer between the fluid and air about the shutter
Implementation Method 2
an actuator configured to rotate the shutter
Data Source
AI summary
A combined heat exchanger and active grille shutter assembly. The assembly includes a rotatable shutter and an actuator configured to rotate the shutter. A conduit of the shutter is configured to accommodate flow of fluid therethrough and permit heat transfer between the fluid and air about the shutter. An inlet and an outlet are in fluid communication with the conduit.