Extruded Flap with Continuous Engagement Shape for Air Inlet Shutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices for motor vehicle front face air inlets face challenges with intermediate reinforcement systems that are not compatible with extruded flaps, leading to limitations in manufacturing cost, weight, and resistance to forces, as well as compatibility issues with different closure device sizes.
Innovation Solution
A shutter device featuring a hollow profile obtained by extrusion with a convex front surface and a specific, continuous rear surface form for snap-fastening engagement with reinforcement elements, allowing for reliable pivoting guidance and installation on various closure devices, while maintaining manufacturing efficiency and reducing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If intermediate reinforcement systems with fingers are used to prevent twisting of flaps, then the flaps can maintain straightness under air pressure, but the system is not compatible with extruded flaps and increases manufacturing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex intermediate reinforcement system with fingers from the design. Instead of using separate reinforcement elements, the solution integrates the reinforcement function directly into the extruded flap structure itself, eliminating the need for additional intermediate components while maintaining the ability to resist air pressure forces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the reinforcement function with the flap structure by integrating reinforcement elements directly into the extruded profile of the flap. This merging eliminates the need for separate intermediate reinforcement systems and simplifies the overall device while maintaining structural integrity under air pressure
2Ease of operation
If local shapes are added to flaps for reinforcement cooperation, then the flaps can be guided in pivoting, but the flaps can only be used for a single type of closure device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal engagement shapes on the extruded flaps that can cooperate with standardized reinforcement structures across different closure device types. The engagement shapes are designed to be compatible with multiple closure device configurations, allowing the same extruded flap to be used in various applications without modification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses extrusion technology to create standardized engagement shapes with specific geometric parameters that can be adapted to different closure device sizes and configurations. By controlling the extrusion parameters, the same basic flap design can be produced in different sizes while maintaining compatibility through standardized engagement features
3Productivity
If flaps are manufactured by extrusion to reduce weight and improve manufacturing, then production efficiency increases, but the flaps require specialized reinforcement systems that are not compatible with standard closure devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the extruded flap with standardized engagement shapes that are compatible with standard closure device reinforcement structures. This universality allows the efficiently manufactured extruded flaps to be used across different closure device types without requiring specialized reinforcement systems for each application
Data Source
Figure 1~4B
Figure 5A~7B
Figure 8A~8B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a flap (5) for a motor vehicle front end air inlet shutter device, the said flap (5) being obtained by extrusion and having a front surface (51) intended to be positioned facing an air flow when the flap (5) is in a closed position, and a rear surface (53) intended to be connected to at least one reinforcer (9) borne by the shutter device, the rear surface (53) having a specific engagement shape (55) that is continuous along the entire length of the flap (5), the said specific engagement shape (55) being intended to collaborate with at least one complementary shape (91) borne by the at least one reinforcer (9), the said collaboration allowing the specific engagement shape (55) and the complementary shape (91) to clip together in order to secure the flap (5) on the reinforcer (9) and allow it to be guided in pivoting.