Flush Front Face Flap Structure for Sealed Airflow Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing front face assemblies for vehicles have poor sealing and an aesthetically unpleasing surface due to the relief formed by active grille shutter systems, which affect air flow control and fuel efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A front face assembly with a smooth surface design where the shut-off device's flaps extend flush with the screen, sealing the passage completely when closed, and are designed to be aesthetically integrated with the screen's support portions, allowing for seamless air flow control without visible reliefs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional shut-off devices with flaps are used to control air flow, then air flow control function is improved, but sealing between screen and flaps deteriorates and surface aesthetics deteriorate due to visible reliefs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow control functionVSAvoidsealing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shut-off element is nested within the passage of the screen, with its front surface substantially coplanar with the front surface of the screen. This nesting arrangement allows the shut-off element to be housed within the screen structure, eliminating protruding reliefs and improving both sealing and aesthetics while maintaining air flow control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The shut-off element is designed with specific local characteristics: its front surface is made substantially coplanar with the screen's front surface, while its rear surface can have different geometries to ensure proper sealing. This localized differentiation of surface qualities allows the shut-off element to maintain both aesthetic integration and functional sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional shut-off devices with flaps are used to control air flow, then air flow control function is improved, but surface aesthetics deteriorate due to many reliefs forming a non-smooth surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow control functionVSAvoidsurface smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The shut-off element is nested within the passage of the screen, with its front surface substantially coplanar with the front surface of the screen. This nesting arrangement allows the shut-off element to be housed within the screen structure, eliminating protruding reliefs and improving both sealing and aesthetics while maintaining air flow control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The shut-off element is designed with specific local characteristics: its front surface is made substantially coplanar with the screen's front surface, while its rear surface can have different geometries to ensure proper sealing. This localized differentiation of surface qualities allows the shut-off element to maintain both aesthetic integration and functional sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If flaps are made to extend into passages to improve sealing, then sealing is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesealingVSAvoidshut-off device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shut-off element is merged with the flap structure, forming an integrated component where the shut-off element is essentially a part of the flap assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while achieving improved sealing through the coplanar front surface design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flap assembly serves multiple functions: it provides air flow control through rotation, achieves sealing through the shut-off element's coplanar front surface, and maintains aesthetic appearance by integrating with the screen surface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240208323A1Flush flap of a front face assembly

Publication Date: 2024.06.27 VALEO SYST THERMIQUES SAS

AI summary

The present invention relates to a front face assembly configured to be fitted in a motor vehicle. The front face assembly includes a screen and a shut-off device. The screen includes at least one passage via which an air flow can pass through the screen. The shut-off device includes at least one flap adapted to take up a first position in which the flap shuts off the passage and a second position in which the flap opens the passage. The flap includes a shut-off element which extends at least partially in the passage in the screen when the flap is in its first position.