Air Guiding Device Louvre Coupling for Angular Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air guiding devices for motor vehicles face challenges in transmitting movement between louvres with louvre axes that have a greater angular offset than can be compensated by individual member tolerances or rigid connecting webs, limiting their deformation behavior and adaptation to inlet openings.
Innovation Solution
A two-part transmission mechanism with coupling projections and recesses allows for relative movement between transmission members, enabling synchronous coupling of louvres with larger angular offsets, using sliding and form-fitting engagements to transmit torque without the need for additional rolling elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a rigid connecting web or stay is used to couple the first and second louvres, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the angular offset between louvre axes cannot be compensated when the offset exceeds individual member tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission means is divided into two separate transmission members instead of using a single rigid connecting web. Each transmission member is associated with one louvre and can rotate about its respective louvre axis independently, allowing the system to accommodate greater angular offsets between the axes while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling projection and coupling recess act as intermediary elements between the two transmission members. The coupling projection extends in a projection direction with a component orthogonal to the louvre axis, while the coupling recess extends in a sliding direction with a component parallel to the louvre axis, enabling form-fitting engagement that transmits torque while accommodating angular misalignment
2Adaptability or versatility
If the angular offset between louvre axes is increased to achieve desired deformation behavior and adaptation to inlet openings, then the adaptability is improved, but the coupling between transmission members becomes difficult to achieve with rigid connecting webs
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a rigid static connection to a dynamic connection that allows relative movement between transmission members. The coupling projection can slide within the coupling recess along the sliding direction while maintaining form-fitting engagement in the orthogonal direction, enabling reliable torque transmission even when louvre axes have large angular offsets for desired deformation behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling geometry is designed with specific directional components: the coupling projection extends in a projection direction with a component orthogonal to the louvre axis, while the coupling recess extends in a sliding direction with a component parallel to the louvre axis. This parameter-based geometric design enables the coupling to accommodate variable angular offsets while maintaining reliable engagement
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 provides a structurally simple and stable coupling mechanism that enables effective torque transmission between louvres with greater angular offsets, enhancing the air guiding device's deformation behavior and adaptation to various vehicle configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling projection is in sliding contact engagement with the coupling recess in the sliding direction
Implementation Method 2
The form-fitting engagement in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction transmits torque
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an air guiding device for a motor vehicle, comprising: a support structure, a first louver, which is mounted on the support structure so as to be swivelable about a first louver axis between a closed position and an open position, a second louver, which is mounted on the support structure so as to be swivelable about a second louver axis, the first and second louver axes extending neither parallel to one another nor in collinear manner, an actuator, which is coupled or couplable to the first louver, in order to drive the latter in a swivel movement about the first louver axis, and a transmission means, which is configured to couple the first louver with the second louver in such a way as to transmit movement, wherein the transmission means is of two-part construction.