Radiator Shutter Locking Discs for Louvre Jam Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiator shutters for automobiles face issues with reliability, ease of manufacturing, and the ability to prevent or quickly report malfunctions, which can affect engine efficiency and pollutant emissions.
Innovation Solution
A radiator shutter design featuring slats mounted in a frame with locking elements that synchronize rotation and automatically lock if one slat malfunctions, using a motor to detect increased torque and output error messages, and constructed from thermoplastic materials for robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking elements are added to synchronize slat rotation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements automatically engage and disengage based on the rotational position of the slats without requiring external control mechanisms. When one slat rotates, the locking elements on adjacent slats self-activate to prevent relative movement, providing self-service synchronization that improves reliability without complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements act as intermediary components between adjacent slats, mediating their rotational movement. These elements transmit and coordinate the rotation between slats, ensuring synchronized movement while maintaining simple individual slat structures.
2Ease of manufacture
If thermoplastic materials are used for construction, then ease of manufacture is improved, but strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thermoplastic materials with reinforced structures, combining the manufacturing advantages of thermoplastics (ease of molding, integration) with enhanced mechanical properties. The composite approach allows complex locking elements and slat structures to be molded as single pieces while maintaining sufficient strength through material selection and structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple components are merged into integrated thermoplastic parts. The locking elements, slats, and mounting features are combined into single molded components, eliminating assembly steps and improving manufacturing efficiency while the thermoplastic material provides adequate strength for the application.
3Reliability
If motor-driven control with malfunction detection is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor-driven control system incorporates malfunction detection through feedback mechanisms that monitor the rotational position and synchronization of slats. When a malfunction is detected (such as a slat failing to rotate properly), the system provides diagnostic feedback to identify the issue, improving reliability through early detection without requiring complex intervention systems.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6b
AI summary
A radiator shutter (1) for a motor vehicle for controlled ventilation of the engine, having a frame (2) in which at least two louvres (8-11) are mounted rotatably in such a manner that they can be pivoted from a completely closed position (approx. 0°) into an open position (approx. 90°), wherein the louvres (8-11) are mounted in bearings on two opposites sides of the frame, wherein a motor (12) which drives a single louvre (9) is provided in or on the frame on an engine side (6) of the frame, and wherein, on the same engine side (6) of the frame, there is a coupling element (7) which synchronously transmits the rotation of the driven louvre (9) to the other louvres (8, 10-11), characterized in that a locking disc (18-21) is provided for each louvre on the mounting side (5) of the frame facing away from the engine side (6) of the frame (2), in the region of the mounting provided there for the louvres (8-11), and wherein the locking discs (18-21) have a form which, if at least one of the locking discs does not rotate synchronously with all the other locking discs (18-21), blocks the rotational movement of the locking discs in a force-fitting and form-fitting manner.