Active Grille Shutter Flap Vibration Control via Rotary Shaft Abutment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active grille shutters in motor vehicles experience flap vibrations due to turbulent air flow, leading to material fatigue, noise pollution, and potential detachment from the frame, especially under heavy vibrations or foreign object impact.
Innovation Solution
An air inflow control system with a mechanical part that includes an abutment to maintain the rotary shaft in place, reducing vibrations and facilitating assembly, and a motor that induces supplementary rotation to ensure flap contact with the abutment, even under turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the flaps are secured to the frame by clipping or 45° assembly, then the assembly process is simplified, but the flaps may detach under heavy vibrations or foreign object impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the rotary shaft at a 45° angle during assembly, allowing it to be inserted through the orifice in the frame. Once in place, the shaft is rotated to a horizontal position where it becomes locked, preventing detachment. This preliminary positioning enables both easy assembly and secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by using a rotary shaft that can change its orientation from an initial 45° assembly position to a final horizontal operating position. This dynamic repositioning allows the shaft to transition from a state suitable for insertion to a state that provides secure locking, resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and attachment stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the flaps are left loosely attached, then assembly is easier, but vibrations from turbulent air flow cause material fatigue and noise pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment is pre-positioned on the flap structure before assembly. During the assembly process, the flap is brought into contact with the abutment, which automatically limits vibrations without requiring additional fastening operations. This preliminary positioning of the abutment enables vibration control while maintaining assembly simplicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the rotary shaft is inserted through the frame orifice, then assembly is simplified, but the shaft may exit under excessive vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary shaft is preliminarily positioned at a 45° angle during assembly, allowing easy insertion through the orifice. After assembly, the shaft is rotated to a horizontal position where its geometry prevents it from exiting the orifice, even under vibration. This preliminary positioning resolves the contradiction between assembly simplicity and shaft retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary shaft utilizes dynamic repositioning from an initial 45° assembly orientation to a final horizontal locked orientation. This dynamic change in position allows the shaft to be easily inserted during assembly while preventing exit during operation, even under excessive vibrations or foreign object impact.
Data Source
AI summary
An air inflow control system for an active grille shutter is disclosed. The air inflow control system includes a frame including at least one housing, a flap including a flap rotary shaft, and a mechanical part adapted to maintain the rotary shaft in the housing when the mechanical part is secured to the frame. The flap rotary shaft may be installed in the housing, the flap may be capable of being placed, by rotation about the rotary shaft, in at least one open position and one closed position. The mechanical part may include an abutment, where the flap may be positioned against the abutment when the flap is placed in the open position.