Air Guide Member Rigidity for Automotive Shutter Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing front air-rectifying structures in automotive vehicles face issues with vibration transmission to the shutter unit, which can lead to improper flap movement and reduced air-guide performance, due to low rigidity in the air guide member caused by vehicle-body vibrations and pressure fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A front air-rectifying structure with a shutter unit and air guide member configuration that includes a first support portion with increased rigidity near the corner portion, fixed to the shutter unit and vehicle-body member, to dampen vibrations and maintain air-guide performance, using synthetic resin or metal materials for the air guide member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the air guide member is made long in the vehicle width direction to meet vehicle-body design requirements, then the air guide performance can be maintained, but the rigidity of the air guide member becomes low and vibration occurs easily
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion is designed with locally increased rigidity compared to other portions of the air guide member. This is achieved by concentrating material or structural reinforcement at the support portion (which extends from the shutter frame toward the grille), allowing the long air guide member to maintain low overall rigidity for vibration suppression while having a locally rigid support portion that prevents excessive vibration and maintains structural integrity.
2Reliability
If the air guide member has low rigidity to suppress vibration, then vibration transmission to the shutter unit is reduced, but the air guide member cannot resist pressure fluctuation and vehicle-body vibration effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide member features a support portion with locally increased rigidity that serves as a vibration isolation element. This support portion is positioned to extend from the shutter frame toward the grille opening, creating a rigid connection point that anchors the air guide member while allowing the rest of the structure to remain flexible. This localized rigidity enables the member to resist pressure fluctuations and vehicle-body vibrations without transmitting excessive vibration to the shutter unit.
3Strength
If the air guide member is rigid to resist vibration and pressure fluctuation, then structural stability is improved, but vibration is transmitted to the shutter unit causing improper flap movement
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide member is designed with non-uniform rigidity distribution, where the support portion has locally increased rigidity while other portions maintain lower rigidity. This localized rigid support portion acts as an anchor that resists external vibrations and pressure fluctuations, preventing the air guide member from excessive deformation. Meanwhile, the lower rigidity in other portions allows the structure to absorb and dampen vibrations, preventing transmission to the shutter unit and ensuring accurate flap positioning.
4Length of stationary object
If the air guide member is made long to guide air from grille to shutter unit, then air guide performance is achieved, but the lower or upper portions may vibrate greatly due to low rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion of the air guide member is designed with locally increased rigidity to serve as a structural anchor. This rigid support portion is positioned to extend from the shutter frame toward the grille opening, providing a stable attachment point that prevents excessive vibration in the long air guide member. The localized rigidity concentration allows the member to maintain its long structure for effective air guidance while suppressing vibration at critical locations.
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 configuration effectively suppresses vibration transmission to the shutter unit while maintaining air-guide performance, preventing flap movement issues and ensuring stable operation of the air guide member, even under pressure fluctuations and collisions.
Implementation Method 1
an air guide member (60) provided to guide air flowing in through the grille opening portion (10) toward to the shutter unit (50)
Implementation Method 2
a first support portion (284, 537) to support the air guide member (60) which is formed in the vicinity of a corner portion of the shutter frame member (53), wherein the support rigidity of the first support portion (284, 537) is increased
Data Source
AI summary
A shutter unit comprises plural flaps, a shutter frame member, and a second support portion to support an air guide member. The air guide member comprises a lower face portion positioned between an upper grille opening portion and the flaps, a first fixation portion fixed to a first support portion of a shroud member, and a second fixation portion fixed to a second support portion of the shutter unit. The lower face portion is configured such that the lower face portion in a state in which the second fixation portion is fixed to the second support portion is spaced apart upward from the shutter frame member.