Air Inlet Shut-Off Curtain With Automatic Return for Cooling Fail-Safe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air inlet shut-off devices for motor vehicles can get stuck in the closed position due to drive system failures, limiting air flow and impacting cooling module performance.
Innovation Solution
An air inlet shut-off device with an automatic return system that includes an elastic element and a cylindrical slider with a helical groove, allowing the curtain to return to the open position using stored elastic energy, even if the drive device is not functioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the drive device is used to control the curtain position, then the air flow can be regulated to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency, but the system may fail and get stuck in the closed position, compromising cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element is pre-loaded during normal operation to store energy that will automatically open the curtain if the drive device fails. This preliminary energy storage ensures that the cooling function can be restored without external intervention when the drive system malfunctions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element, which normally acts as a load on the drive system during closed position maintenance, becomes a beneficial automatic opening mechanism when the drive device fails. The stored elastic energy converts the potential harm of drive failure into a beneficial automatic safety opening action.
2Loss of energy
If the curtain is kept in the closed position to reduce drag, then fuel consumption decreases, but the cooling module cannot function properly, causing engine overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element automatically activates to open the curtain when needed, without requiring external control systems or manual intervention. The system self-regulates by using the pre-stored elastic energy to restore the open position when the drive device fails, ensuring cooling function is reactivated based on the failure condition.
3Reliability
If an automatic return system with elastic element is added, then the system can automatically open the curtain upon drive failure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic return function is extracted as a separate mechanical subsystem using the elastic element and ratchet mechanism, independent of the electrical drive device. This extraction allows the safety function to operate autonomously through pure mechanical means when the electrical system fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element acts as an intermediary energy storage component between the drive device and the curtain mechanism. It mediates the connection by storing and releasing energy to ensure the curtain can be opened even when the direct drive connection is broken or failed.
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
Ensures air flow circulation through the cooling module, preventing engine overheating by automatically opening the curtain in case of drive system failure, thus maintaining efficient cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element which is elastic in elongation along the rolling axis of the roller shaft
Implementation Method 2
said slider also including a helical groove on its outer surface
Data Source
AI summary
An air inlet shut-off device for a motor vehicle having: a support frame defining a passage opening for an incoming air flow, a curtain movable between a closed position and an open position, an automatic return system for the curtain having: an elastic element which is elastic in elongation along the rolling axis of the roller shaft and secured to the latter in such a way as to be rotated and vice versa; a cylindrical slider intended to move in translation along the rolling axis and in rotation about this same axis, said slider being secured to the elastic element in such a way as to be rotated indirectly by the roller shaft, said slider including a helical groove on its outer surface, the support frame including a fixed finger configured to be inserted in said helical groove.