Cooling Module Closure Guide Assembly for Low-Turbulence Airflow

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for controlling and guiding closure elements in motor vehicle cooling modules are complex, costly, and time-consuming to produce, and they do not effectively mitigate turbulent air flows that reduce vehicle range and increase fuel consumption.

Innovation Solution

A multi-part device comprising a first and second control element and a guide element, where the guide element is configured as a winding shaft or extruded profile, allowing for simple, cost-effective production and assembly, with point-symmetrical recesses and adjustable connections to ensure precise alignment and secure fastening of the closure element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a one-piece device is produced via injection molding with integrated gas injection or water injection and supplementary projectile injection, then the device can provide integrated control functions, but the production process becomes technically complex and costly and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidproduction process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple separately producible components including a housing, a closure element, and a control element. These components are manufactured independently using simpler processes and then assembled together, eliminating the need for complex integrated injection molding while maintaining functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If a one-piece device is produced via injection molding with integrated gas injection or water injection and supplementary projectile injection, then the device can provide integrated control functions, but the production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction speedVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the device into separately manufacturable components, each component can be produced using faster, simpler processes. The components are then quickly assembled, reducing overall production time compared to the single-step integrated injection molding process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a one-piece device is produced via injection molding with integrated gas injection or water injection and supplementary projectile injection, then the device can provide integrated control functions, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidproduction process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple separately producible components including a housing, a closure element, and a control element. These components are manufactured independently using simpler, more cost-effective processes and then assembled together, eliminating the need for complex integrated injection molding while maintaining functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11865910B2Device for controlling and guiding a closure element

Publication Date: 2024.01.09 HBPO GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (2) for controlling and guiding a closure element (4) for closing a motor vehicle cooling module, comprising a first control element (10a) for controlling an opening and a closing movement of the closure element (4), a second control element (10b) for controlling an opening and a closing movement of the closure element (4), a guide element (8), which is arranged directly between the first and the second control element (10a, 10b), for guiding the closure element (4) during an opening and a closing movement, wherein the device (2) is formed in multiple parts and is assembled from parts produced separately from one another.