Grille Shutter Back-Face Attachment for Weight Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing grille shutter attaching structures for automotive vehicles require a special frame member for rigidity against collisions, leading to increased weight and cost.

Innovation Solution

A grille shutter attaching structure where the grille shutter unit is attached to the shroud from the back-face side, eliminating the need for a special frame member by using split units with outer frames and a center frame that pivotally support shutter shafts, allowing for reduced rigidity and simplified assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a frame member is provided to ensure firmness against collision, then the grille shutter becomes strong and reliable, but weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmness against collisionVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary frame member from the grille shutter assembly. By repositioning the attachment method from front-face to back-face, the design removes the need for additional reinforcing frame structures, achieving weight reduction while maintaining collision resistance through the shroud's inherent strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional attachment approach by attaching the grille shutter unit to the back-face of the shroud instead of the front-face. This inversion allows the shroud itself to provide the necessary structural support, eliminating the need for separate frame members and reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a frame member is provided to ensure firmness against collision, then the grille shutter becomes strong and reliable, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmness against collisionVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary frame member from the grille shutter assembly. By repositioning the attachment method from front-face to back-face, the design removes the need for additional reinforcing frame structures, achieving cost reduction while maintaining collision resistance through the shroud's inherent strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the support function into the existing shroud structure by attaching the grille shutter unit to its back-face. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate frame members, reducing part count, manufacturing complexity, and overall cost while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10350991B2Grille shutter attaching structure of automotive vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 MAZDA MOTOR CORP

AI summary

A grille shutter unit which is provided with shutters and a frame which pivotally supports shutter shafts provided at the shutters is attached to a frame-shaped shroud which supports heat exchangers. The grille shutter unit is configured to be attached to the shroud from a back-face side of the shroud at a position located in front of the heat exchangers.