Bumper Air Curtain Flap Assembly With Stepped Opening Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air curtain apparatuses for vehicles do not effectively improve aerodynamics and often degrade the vehicle's aesthetics due to a fixed open or closed state of the inlet hole, leading to inefficient airflow and unsightly shape changes.
Innovation Solution
An air curtain apparatus with a flap assembly comprising multiple flaps that rotate in a stepped manner to open and close the inlet hole, operated by a single actuator, allowing for adjustable airflow and maintaining aesthetic appeal by varying the opening size of the inlet hole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the inlet hole is opened all the time to improve aerodynamics, then airflow efficiency is improved, but the vehicle aesthetics are degraded due to constant shape changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a flap assembly that can dynamically adjust the inlet hole opening state based on vehicle operating conditions. The flap rotates between fully open, partially open, and fully closed positions, allowing the system to adapt aerodynamic performance to different driving scenarios while maintaining aesthetic appearance when fully closed or partially open.
2Device complexity
If a single actuator is used to operate multiple flaps, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control function of multiple actuators into a single actuator that operates the entire flap assembly. The single actuator rotates the flap assembly as a unified structure, and the differential rotation distances of multiple flaps are achieved through their different mounting positions and rotational characteristics, eliminating the need for multiple actuators while maintaining control capability.
3Productivity
If multiple flaps are disposed collinearly to close the inlet hole effectively, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the inlet hole closure function into multiple flaps disposed collinearly. Each flap can be independently positioned at different rotation distances from the fully open position, allowing effective airflow control through the segmented structure. The flaps share a common rotational center and can be manufactured as separate components that are then assembled together, balancing functional effectiveness with manufacturing feasibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an air curtain apparatus capable of improving aerodynamics of a vehicle and preventing the degradation of aesthetics of the vehicle, and a vehicle bumper assembly (1) including the same. In an air curtain apparatus disposed in a bumper cover (1000) provided with an inlet hole (1000A) through which headwind is introduced according to one embodiment of the present invention, the air curtain apparatus includes a flap assembly (2100) disposed in the inlet hole (1000A) to open and close the inlet hole (1000A) and an actuator (2200) coupled to the flap assembly (2100) to operate the flap assembly (2100), wherein the flap assembly (2100) includes a plurality of flaps disposed collinear with the bumper cover (1000) to close the inlet hole (1000A) and rotated in a stepped manner to open the inlet hole (1000A).