Active Grille Shutter Bearing Support to Prevent Vane Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional active grille shutter systems face issues with vane deflection due to frontal loads, air leakage, mechanical failures, vibration, and inefficiency due to excessive bearing contact and components, which affect their ability to control airflow effectively.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a frame with back supports that include bearing rods and cavities with retention and insertion features, providing rigidity and preventing deflection, while reducing bearing contact and components to enhance airflow control and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If intermediate bearing clamps are disposed between the vanes to provide bearing support, then the vanes are supported to avoid deflection, but the vanes become axially discontinuous along the longitudinal axis, rendering them ineffective in preventing air leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bearing support function and the air sealing function into a single integrated component. The bearing clamp is designed with a structure that spans the entire vane assembly, providing both intermediate bearing support for the vanes and continuous air sealing across the vane gaps, eliminating the need for separate components and ensuring axial continuity for effective leakage prevention
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vanes are made flexible and long to control airflow, then the vanes can effectively block or permit air flow, but the vanes become prone to deflection at the center due to frontal loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vane assembly into multiple segments by introducing intermediate bearing clamps that support the vanes at multiple points along their length. This segmentation approach allows the vanes to remain flexible for airflow control while the intermediate supports prevent excessive deflection at the center by providing additional structural reinforcement without compromising the overall flexibility needed for blocking or permitting air flow
3Strength
If more intermediate bearing clamps are added to support the vanes, then the vanes are better supported against frontal loads, but the number of components increases and frictional losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the bearing clamp as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides bearing support for multiple vanes, maintains axial continuity for air sealing, and reduces frictional losses through optimized bearing surfaces. This universal design approach allows a single component type to perform multiple functions, reducing the overall number of components needed while maintaining strong support capability against frontal loads
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
An active grille shutter system (100) includes a frame (10) and vanes (20) disposed within the frame (10). Rotatable connection between the frame (10) and the vanes (20) permit angular movement the vanes (20) about longitudinal axis "X" thereof to define a blocking and an unblocking configuration thereof. The frame (10) includes at least one back support (12) disposed substantially orthogonal to the vanes (20) to prevent deflection of the vanes (20) in the direction of ram air. The back support (12) extends towards the vanes (20) and includes a plurality of bearing rods (12a) received in bearing cavities (22) formed on corresponding vanes (20). Each of the bearing cavity (20) encapsulates at least a portion of the periphery of corresponding bearing rod (12a). At least one of the bearing rod (12a) and the corresponding bearing cavity (22) configured with at least one of insertion assisting, locking and retention features.