Shutter Flap Pivot Pin Connecting Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air inlet regulating devices for motor vehicles face assembly and safety issues due to the use of different materials for control and secondary shutters, leading to uneven torsional forces and potential standardization problems.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a connecting element on the pivot pin that distributes the actuator's force more evenly, allowing all shutters to be made of the same material, such as Polyamide-6 Glass Fiber 30%, and the use of a lever with different parts and teeth configurations to facilitate rotation and assembly, ensuring uniform stress distribution and standardization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If control shutters are made of more resistant material (PA6 GF50) to withstand greater torsional constraints, then the strength and reliability of the control shutter is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly standardization deteriorate due to requiring different materials for control and secondary shutters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by making all shutters (both control and secondary) identical in structure and material composition. The connecting element is integrated into the pivot pin rather than being a separate component, allowing uniform distribution of torsional forces across all shutters. This enables all shutters to be manufactured from the same PA6 GF30 material with consistent geometry, simplifying assembly and improving standardization while maintaining adequate strength through optimized force distribution.
2Ease of operation
If a movable connecting rod is used to connect shutters, then the shutters can be controlled simultaneously, but the torsional forces on the control shutter become uneven and excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connecting element from being a separate movable rod and integrates it directly into the pivot pin structure. The pivot pin itself becomes the connecting element with external surfaces that engage with lever arms on adjacent shutters. This eliminates the need for a separate connecting rod and redistributes the torsional forces through the pivot pin's structure, reducing peak stresses on the control shutter while maintaining simultaneous control functionality.
3Strength
If different materials are used for control and secondary shutters, then the control shutter can withstand greater torsional constraints, but assembly problems and safety issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures reliability by using identical material (PA6 GF30) and identical structure for all shutters. The integrated pivot pin design creates uniform force distribution patterns across all shutter connections, eliminating the reliability issues associated with mixed-material assemblies. This homogeneous approach ensures consistent mechanical properties, thermal expansion characteristics, and failure modes across all shutters, improving overall system safety and predictability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a shutter flap (4) for a device (1) for regulating an air flow for a motor vehicle front end module, comprising: - a panel (10) for impeding the flow of air, - a pivot pin (18) secured to the panel (10). According to the invention, the pivot pin (18) comprises a recess (21) so as to have an outer surface (20) and an inner surface (22), the inner surface (22) having a linking element (24) arranged to link the panel (10) in rotation with a drive member (26). The invention also relates to a regulating device.