Vehicle Grille Shutter Layout for Larger Opening Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grille shutter designs face challenges in securing a larger opening area while maintaining design flexibility and simplicity, particularly when closure plates are provided for each clearance opening, making it difficult to accommodate varied grille shapes and designs.
Innovation Solution
A grille shutter device with a rotary member and a single opening and closing member that rotates around a shaft, combined with a support member that moves relative to the opening and closing member, allowing for a larger opening area and improved design adaptability through a uniaxial rotation mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple closure plates are provided for each clearance opening, then each opening can be closed individually, but the opening area is reduced and the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple closure plates into a single closure member that can close multiple clearance openings simultaneously. This single closure member is configured to cover and close several openings at once, eliminating the need for multiple separate closure plates while maintaining the closure function and maximizing the open area when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The single closure member is designed to perform multiple functions: it can close multiple different clearance openings of various shapes and sizes, and it can be positioned in different orientations to accommodate different grille designs. This universal closure member replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized closure plates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple closure plates are provided for each clearance opening, then each opening can be controlled separately, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple closure plates into a single integrated closure member with a unified structure. This merger simplifies the device by reducing the number of components from multiple separate plates to one cohesive unit, while the closure member is designed with adaptable features to handle various opening configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to be oriented at different angles and positions to match various grille opening shapes. This dynamic adaptability is achieved through a rotatable support mechanism that enables the closure member to assume different orientations without requiring multiple fixed-position plates.
3Reliability
If closure plates are positioned in the grille opening height direction, then they can close openings effectively, but a larger opening area cannot be secured
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member is designed to dynamically change its position and orientation. When closing, it positions itself to effectively seal the openings; when open, it rotates to a horizontal orientation that minimizes its projection into the opening space, thereby maximizing the open area. This dynamic repositioning is achieved through the rotatable support member mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member that holds the closure plate is configured to rotate around an axis, enabling the closure member to move from a vertical position (when closing openings) to a horizontal position (when open). This rotation around a horizontal axis allows the closure member to change its spatial orientation, effectively using the horizontal dimension to maximize opening area while maintaining closure capability.
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 device enhances design performance by securing a larger opening area and accommodating various grille shapes with a simpler structure, while reducing interference with peripheral components and improving airflow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary member (24) having one end part that is supported by a rotary shaft (22) along a vehicle width direction... the rotary member (24) being rotatable around the rotary shaft (22)
Implementation Method 2
a support member (28) having one end part rotatably supported at the vehicle around an axis along the vehicle width direction, and another end part that moves relative to the opening and closing member (26)
Data Source
AI summary
A grille shutter device, including: a rotary member having one end part that is supported by a rotary shaft along a vehicle width direction at an upper part or a lower part, in a vehicle vertical direction, of a grille opening of a vehicle, the rotary member being rotatable around the rotary shaft; a single opening and closing member fixed to another end part of the rotary member, which assumes a horizontal orientation and puts the grille opening into an open state when the rotary member is upright, and which assumes an inclined orientation or an upright orientation and puts the grille opening into a closed state when the rotary member is inclined; and a support member having one end part rotatably supported at the vehicle, and another end part that moves relative to the opening and closing member in conjunction with the grille opening.