Grille Shutter Attachment via Segmented Restriction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grille shutter attachment structures to radiators in vehicles face challenges in suppressing deformation during normal conditions while allowing deformation during collision loads, as they either restrict radiator grille movement or fail to maintain fixation under wind pressure.
Innovation Solution
A grille shutter attaching structure with a restriction mechanism that includes a restriction member and abutting portion, allowing the grille shutter to be fixedly attached at end portions and restricting intermediate movement towards the rear during normal conditions, while enabling the radiator grille to deform by moving the restriction member rearward during collision loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the grille shutter is fixedly attached to the radiator grille, then the grille shutter deformation is suppressed during normal travel, but the radiator grille deformation is suppressed during collision loads
Solution Approach 1:
The attaching structure is divided into multiple attachment portions along the width direction of the grille shutter. By securing only specific portions (end portions) rather than the entire grille shutter, the structure allows selective deformation: the secured end portions remain stable while the intermediate portions can deform during collisions, resolving the contradiction between suppression of grille shutter deformation and maintenance of radiator grille deformation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment strategy applies different fixation qualities to different regions of the grille shutter. The end portions are firmly attached to prevent deformation during normal travel, while the intermediate portions are left unattached or loosely attached to allow deformation during collisions. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying stability where needed and flexibility where required
2Strength
If the grille shutter is not fixedly attached to the radiator grille, then the radiator grille can deform during collision loads, but the grille shutter deforms due to wind pressure during normal travel
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attaching the entire grille shutter, only specific segments (end portions) are attached to the radiator grille. This segmentation allows the attached end portions to remain stable during normal travel while the unattached intermediate portions can deform during collisions, resolving the contradiction between grille shutter stability and radiator grille deformation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The attaching structure serves multiple functions: during normal travel, it provides stability to the grille shutter by securing the end portions; during collisions, it allows deformation by not securing the intermediate portions. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the same structure adaptive to different operational conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A grille shutter is fixed to a radiator grille at end portions of the grille shutter in the vehicle right-left direction. A restriction mechanism includes a restriction member provided to the radiator grille and a restriction member abutting portion provided to an intermediate portion of the grille shutter in the vehicle right-left direction. The restriction mechanism restricts the intermediate portion of the grille shutter from moving toward the vehicle rear side relative to the radiator grille. The restriction member is configured to be movable toward the vehicle rear side relative to the restriction member abutting portion.