Bowed Shutter Grille Flow Control Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow control systems for vehicles struggle to effectively regulate airflow through grilles with complex, curved surfaces, leading to gaps and inefficiencies when shutters are in the closed position, which affects aerodynamic drag and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A flow control assembly featuring bowed shutters that mimic the curvature of the grille, connected via hinge members with a gooseneck-type design, allowing them to pivot and nest within the grille's curvature, and an actuator-driven mechanism to switch between flow-permitting and flow-restricting positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If planar shutters are used in a grille with curved surfaces, then the shutters can be manufactured easily, but gaps appear when shutters are closed reducing flow control effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The shutters are formed with a curvature that matches the curvature of the grille surface, allowing them to conform to the curved geometry and eliminate gaps when closed, thereby maintaining flow control effectiveness while remaining manufacturable
2Reliability
If bowed shutters are used to match grille curvature, then flow control effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutters are formed with a curvature that matches the curvature of the grille surface, allowing them to conform to the curved geometry and eliminate gaps when closed, thereby maintaining flow control effectiveness while remaining manufacturable
3Object-generated harmful factors
If shutters are actuated to restrict flow, then aerodynamic drag is reduced, but fuel efficiency may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter assembly is actuable between a closed position that restricts flow to reduce aerodynamic drag and an open position that permits flow to maintain fuel efficiency, allowing dynamic adjustment based on operating conditions
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary flow control assembly includes, among other things, a grille member and a flow control device having a plurality of bowed shutters adjacent the grille member. The bowed shutters are configured to move back and forth between a flow permitting position and a flow restricting position. An exemplary flow control method includes, among other things, moving a plurality of bowed shutters back and forth between a flow permitting position and a flow restricting position. The flow permitting position permitting more flow through apertures in a grille member than the flow restricting position.