Extruded Air Inlet Flap Assembly With Anti-Extraction End Pieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing shutter devices for motor vehicle front ends face challenges in achieving reliable and cost-effective connection between the flap body and end pieces, requiring tight manufacturing tolerances to prevent damage and ensure proper placement, which is difficult and costly to achieve.
Innovation Solution
A flap design with a profiled oblong flap body and end pieces featuring oblique teeth and a reinforcing central wall, which securely inserts into the flap body's cavity, allowing for greater manufacturing tolerances and easy assembly, while a collar and blind recesses enhance structural integrity and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reduced manufacturing tolerances are used to prevent end pieces from damaging the flap body, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and production difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing the end piece with a collar that protrudes from the flap body, creating a buffer zone that prevents direct contact and potential damage between the end piece and the flap body during assembly and operation. This protective structure allows for relaxed manufacturing tolerances while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing the end piece inside the cavity of the flap body, with the collar protruding outward. This nested configuration provides both protection and tolerance compensation, allowing the end piece to be securely positioned without requiring tight tolerances.
2Stability of the object's composition
If tight manufacturing tolerances are required for end piece placement, then the connection stability is improved, but the production cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the end piece, specifically adding a collar with a defined protrusion distance. This structural parameter change provides inherent stability through the collar's mechanical engagement while allowing for broader tolerance ranges in manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar structure serves as a beforehand cushioning element that pre-establishes a protective buffer, eliminating the need for tight tolerances to achieve stability. The collar's design inherently compensates for manufacturing variations.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the end pieces are inserted into the flap body cavity, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but the risk of damage during assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar on the end piece provides beforehand cushioning by creating a protective buffer zone that prevents direct impact between the end piece and the flap body during assembly. This eliminates the assembly damage risk while maintaining the aerodynamic benefits of the inserted configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar acts as an intermediary element between the end piece and the flap body, mediating the interaction by providing a protective buffer that prevents damage during assembly while allowing the end piece to remain positioned for aerodynamic performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A flap including an extruded flap body with two outer walls connected edge to edge and delimiting an inner cavity, the flap including an end piece at each of the ends of the flap body, the end pieces including an inner part inserted into the cavity and an outer part protruding from the flap body, the flap body including, within its cavity, two lateral walls connecting the inner faces of the outer walls, the inner part of at least one end piece including a first and a second oblique tooth projecting towards the outside of the inner part, the end of the first tooth being intended to come into contact with one lateral wall, and the end of the second tooth being intended to come into contact with the other lateral wall, the teeth being oriented so as to oppose the extraction of the end piece from the flap body.