Front Air Inlet Sealing Flaps With Synchronous Non-Parallel Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shutter devices for motor vehicle air inlets struggle with synchronous control of flaps that are not arranged parallel to each other, which is necessary for aesthetic reasons, leading to unsynchronized opening and closing.
Innovation Solution
A shutter device with a support frame and a system for synchronous opening of flaps, featuring a suspended element connected to each flap via a guide device and actuation mechanism, including shafts, transmitters, and converters, allowing flaps to open and close synchronously regardless of their arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If flaps are arranged not parallel to each other for aesthetic reasons, then aesthetic requirements are satisfied, but synchronous opening and closing of flaps cannot be achieved with shared connecting rod
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the control system into individual control units for each flap or group of flaps. Each shutter assembly has its own actuator and connecting mechanism rather than using a single shared connecting rod for all flaps. This segmentation allows each flap to be controlled independently while maintaining synchronous operation, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic non-parallel arrangement and synchronous control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediate connecting elements and transmission mechanisms between the actuators and flaps. These intermediaries include individual connecting rods, pivots, and transmission linkages for each shutter assembly that translate actuator motion into synchronized flap movement. The intermediary mechanisms accommodate non-parallel flap arrangements while maintaining synchronous operation through geometric linkage design.
2Ease of operation
If shared connecting rod is used to control flaps, then synchronous opening and closing is achieved for parallel flaps, but it cannot accommodate non-parallel flap arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent actuator-assemblies, each capable of controlling its own flap or group of flaps. This allows the system to adapt to various flap arrangements (parallel or non-parallel) while maintaining synchronous control through coordinated actuation of the segmented units.
Solution Approach 2:
Each shutter assembly with its actuator and connecting mechanism is designed as a universal module that can accommodate different flap configurations. The modular design allows the same basic assembly type to be used for both parallel and non-parallel arrangements by adjusting the geometric parameters of the connecting linkages, providing versatility in flap arrangement while maintaining synchronous control capability.
3Ease of operation
If individual actuators are used for each shutter assembly, then synchronous control is achieved for non-parallel flaps, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple control functions into integrated shutter assemblies where the actuator, connecting rod, pivot mechanisms, and flap control are merged into unified modules. Each assembly is designed as a compact integrated unit that performs multiple functions (actuation, transmission, and flap control) simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity despite using multiple actuators for non-parallel flap arrangements.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for sealing an air inlet of a motor vehicle, including a support frame with a front and rear faces, the support frame including a through-orifice with a sealing assembly with at least two complementary flaps, each of which is movable about a corresponding pivot axis between a sealing and an open positions, the device further including a system for synchronously opening the flaps having a suspended element arranged on the rear face of the support frame and movable between a position close to the support frame and a position remote from the support frame, the suspended element being connected to each of the flaps such that, in the close position, the flaps are in the sealing position and, in the remote position, the flaps are in the open position.