Device for blanking off the air inlet on the front face of a motor vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle front face air inlet shutter devices require significant thickness to accommodate the movement of connecting rods, complicating mounting and failing to meet the demand for reduced vehicle size along the longitudinal axis.
Innovation Solution
A shutter device with a control element that uses an output pinion and a sliding element with a second rack, allowing movement only in height, eliminating the need for depth movement and reducing the device's thickness, and incorporating a transmission ratio less than 1 to use a less powerful actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a connecting rod is used to drive the flaps during rotation, then the flaps can be opened or closed, but the device requires significant thickness to accommodate the depth movement of the connecting rod
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the movement dimension from depth (connecting rod translating in height and depth) to only height movement (sliding element translating vertically). The rack is oriented horizontally while moving vertically, eliminating the need for depth movement and reducing device thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the connecting rod mechanical system with a rack and pinion system. The rack translates vertically while the pinion converts rotational motion to linear motion, eliminating the need for depth movement and complex connecting rod mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If a connecting rod is used to drive the flaps, then the flaps can be controlled, but the device size increases along the longitudinal axis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the rack movement from depth direction to vertical height direction. The sliding element moves only in height while the rack translates vertically, eliminating longitudinal axis extension and reducing device size in the depth direction.
3Ease of operation
If a standard transmission ratio is used between the actuator and flap pinions, then the flaps can be driven, but a more powerful actuator is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission ratio parameter to be less than 1 (reversed gear arrangement), which reduces the torque requirement on the actuator. This allows the use of a less powerful, smaller, and lighter actuator while still achieving the required flap actuation force.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution results in a thinner shutter device that saves space within the vehicle, facilitating easier integration and reducing the drag coefficient while maintaining efficient airflow control.
Implementation Method 1
the actuator comprises an output pinion and the sliding element comprises a second rack meshed with the output pinion of the actuator
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a blanking device (1), particularly for blanking off the air inlet on the front face of a motor vehicle, comprising: ▪ a support frame (5) in which are installed a set of flaps (3) pivoting about axes of pivoting (A) between a blanking-off position and an open position, ▪ at least one control element (7) controlling the positioning of the flaps (3) and comprising: ◦ an actuator (71) with an output pinion (75), ◦ a sliding element (73) comprising a second rack (77) in mesh with the output pinion (75) of the actuator (71) and at least a first rack (79), the flaps (3) comprising, at least at one of their ends, a pinion (31) placed on their axis of pivoting (A) and in mesh with a first rack (79) of the sliding element (73).