Geared Active Grille Shutter Linkage for Missing Vane Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Active Grille Shutters (AGS) lack adequate monitoring capabilities to detect damaged or missing components, which can degrade aerodynamic performance without the driver's knowledge, and are not On Board Diagnostic (OBD-2) compliant.
Innovation Solution
A kinematic linkage assembly with a series of geared vane connections replaces the traditional single-piece linkage, allowing on-board diagnostics to detect missing or damaged AGS components by sensing over-rotation of the gears.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-piece linkage is used to connect all vanes, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the ability to detect missing or damaged components is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The single-piece linkage is divided into multiple separate linkage members, each connected to a specific vane. This segmentation allows each member to independently report the status of its associated vane through gear rotation, enabling detection of missing or damaged components while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Gears are introduced as intermediary elements between the linkage members and the actuator. These gears serve as mediators that translate the mechanical connection into detectable rotational signals, allowing the control system to monitor vane status without requiring direct sensing of each linkage member.
2Measurement precision
If geared vane connections are used to enable component detection, then diagnostic capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The geared linkage members serve multiple functions: they mechanically connect vanes to the actuator for movement control, and simultaneously act as sensing elements through their gear rotation to report vane status. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensing mechanisms, limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage members themselves perform the sensing function through their gear connections, eliminating the need for separate sensors or detection mechanisms. Each linkage member's gear automatically reports its status through rotation detection, allowing the system to self-monitor without additional complex diagnostic hardware.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single-piece linkage is used, then manufacturing and assembly are simpler, but On Board Diagnostic compliance is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage is segmented into multiple independently manufacturable members, each with its own gear connection. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing of individual components while enabling OBD-2 compliance through the ability of each segment to independently report its status to the diagnostic system.
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 enables accurate detection of broken or missing components in the active grille shutter system, ensuring proper aerodynamic performance and compliance with OBD-2 standards.
Implementation Method 1
By making the linkage a series of geared vane connections it is possible to eliminate the one piece linkage and provide a way for the on-board diagnostics of the vehicle to detect a missing or damaged AGS, which is sensed by over rotation of the gears.
Data Source
AI summary
A kinematic linkage assembly for a vehicle active grille shutter system. The kinematic linkage assembly includes a kinematic end cap with a driven gear and one or more driven gears connected to the driven gear. The driven gear includes a driven portion connected to an actuator. A gear portion of the driven gear circumscribes the driven portion. When a drive vane is engaged to the drive gear the gear portion and drive vane will rotate together. If the driven vane is missing the driven vane will rotate independently of the gear portion and none of the vanes of the assembly will be driven by the actuator.