Vehicle Air Intake Lamella Bearing Integration for Compact Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional airflow devices for regulating air intake in vehicle front ends require a complex mounting frame and multiple components, increasing assembly effort and production costs.
Innovation Solution
The airflow device integrates the pivot bearing for the air-regulating lamella into the air intake part and airflow channel, eliminating the need for a separate mounting frame, and uses a fastening element and sealing elements to simplify assembly and reduce component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate mounting frame is used to accommodate rotary bearings and drive fastening, then the airflow device can be assembled with all necessary components, but the number of parts increases and assembly effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting frame is merged with the air intake part by integrating the bearing portions directly into the air intake part structure. The first bearing portion is formed as an integral part of the air intake part, eliminating the need for a separate mounting frame while maintaining all necessary functional capabilities including rotary bearing accommodation and drive fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The air intake part is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only guides air flow but also provides structural support for the rotary bearings and fastening points for the drive mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated mounting structures, reducing component count while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a mounting frame with seals is used, then proper sealing between components is achieved, but the assembly effort and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the air intake part by forming sealing surfaces directly on its structure. The bearing portions are designed with integrated sealing capabilities, eliminating the need for separate seal components while maintaining effective sealing between the air intake part, airflow channel, and mounting frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The design utilizes flexible sealing lips or films that are integrated into the bearing portions of the air intake part. These flexible elements conform to the mating surfaces, providing effective sealing while allowing for simple assembly without complex sealing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the installation space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the air intake part structure, including bearing support, drive mounting, and sealing surfaces. This integration consolidates what would otherwise require separate components into a single optimized structure, reducing the overall installation space while maintaining functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing portions and drive fastening features are nested within the structure of the air intake part itself. This nesting approach allows multiple functional elements to occupy the same spatial envelope, reducing the overall footprint of the airflow device while maintaining all necessary functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An airflow device suitable for regulating the air intake in vehicle front ends and which has an air intake part through which air can enter the airflow device. The airflow device has an airflow channel which is arranged downstream of the air intake part and connected thereto and through which the air entering through the air intake part can be conducted. The airflow device has at least one air-regulating lamella which is pivotably mounted on the airflow device on a pivot bearing and which is configured and arranged such that it can influence the airflow entering through the air intake part by changing its pivot position. The pivot bearing for the at least one air-regulating lamella is formed by a first bearing portion which is part of the air intake part and by a second bearing portion which is part of the airflow channel.