Foldable Grille Mechanism for Heavy Vehicle Step Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle grille mechanisms on heavy commercial vehicles create wind resistance and visual pollution when used as steps, and existing solutions do not effectively address the need for a foldable and adjustable grille that can serve as both a ventilation component and a step without increasing material usage or wind resistance.
Innovation Solution
A foldable and adjustable grille mechanism with a fixed grille, a movable grille, an actuator, a motion lever, and a resilient member, allowing the grille to be opened and closed to form a step opening, which minimizes wind resistance when not in use and provides a secure step when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the front grille is fixed to provide engine ventilation, then ventilation function is maintained, but wind resistance increases and fuel consumption rises when a step is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The grille is designed with movable portions that can rotate between a closed position (for ventilation) and an open position (forming a step). The motion lever and resilient member enable dynamic reconfiguration of the grille structure based on operational needs, allowing it to adapt between vehicle ventilation mode and step formation mode.
2Ease of operation
If the front grille is opened to form a step opening, then access to the windshield is enabled, but visual pollution and wind resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grille is divided into fixed and movable portions, allowing selective opening of only the necessary section to form a step. This segmentation enables the grille to provide step access when needed while maintaining a closed, aesthetically pleasing appearance when not in use, reducing visual pollution and wind resistance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate step mechanism is added in front of the grille, then step functionality is provided, but device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grille structure itself is designed to serve dual functions: engine ventilation when closed and step formation when opened. By making the grille portions movable rather than adding a separate step mechanism, the invention eliminates the need for additional components while providing the same step functionality, thereby reducing device complexity and material usage.
4Ease of operation
If the movable grille is held open without force, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to accidental closing
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member acts as a spring mechanism that stores mechanical energy and provides a counteracting force to hold the movable grille portions in their open position. This spring force compensates for the gravitational and aerodynamic forces that would otherwise cause the grille to close accidentally, ensuring position stability while maintaining ease of operation.
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 mechanism reduces wind resistance and fuel consumption by folding when not in use, while providing a secure step for reaching the vehicle's front parts, thus enhancing fuel economy and reducing visual pollution.
Implementation Method 1
at least one resilient member (8), which prevents the moveable grille (4) and the actuator (6) on the fixed grille (2) from being closed without exertion of a force when they are open and prevents them from being opened without exertion of a force when they are closed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to an adjustable grille mechanism (1) which enables to produce a step opening (B) for the step (3) by using the actuator (6) and the movable grille (4) when the user prefers to reach the front part of the vehicle.