Tiltable Active Air Flap Assembly for Radiator Grille Wind Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air flap assemblies in vehicle radiator grilles fail to adequately block wind inflow, leading to increased running resistance and reduced aerodynamic performance, especially when components like SSC modules and cameras are installed, causing fuel efficiency issues.
Innovation Solution
A tiltable active air flap assembly with a drive motor, power transmission means, and tilting mechanism using an output gear and curved rack gear to tilt air flaps, ensuring they contact internal components and prevent wind inflow when closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air flaps are installed in a fixed position at the rear of the radiator grille, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but gaps are formed between the air flaps and components inside the engine room, causing running wind to flow into the engine room
Solution Approach 1:
The air flap assembly transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic tilting structure. The lower end of the air flap unit can tilt forward or backward relative to the upper end, allowing the air flaps to adapt their position dynamically. This tilting mechanism enables the lower end to move forward and contact components inside the engine room, eliminating gaps and improving blocking performance without requiring a completely complex redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flap assembly is divided into segments: the upper end portion that remains relatively fixed and the lower end portion that can tilt independently. This segmentation allows different parts of the assembly to perform different functions - the upper part maintains structural stability while the lower part adapts to contact internal components, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the lower end of the air flap is positioned forward to contact components inside the engine room, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but interference with installed components such as SSC modules and cameras occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting mechanism allows the lower end of the air flap to dynamically adjust its position. When needed for aerodynamic performance, it can tilt forward to contact components and block running wind. When not needed or when components are present, it can tilt backward to avoid interference. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between achieving good aerodynamic performance and maintaining compatibility with various installed components.
3Temperature
If the radiator grille is always opened to allow air flow, then cooling function is maintained, but running resistance increases and fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air flap assembly provides dynamic control over air flow through the radiator grille. The air flaps can be rotated to open or closed positions, and the lower end can tilt to contact components for effective sealing. This dynamic control system allows the grille to be opened for cooling when needed and closed to reduce running resistance and improve fuel efficiency when cooling is not required, resolving the contradiction between maintaining cooling function and reducing energy loss.
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 tiltable air flap assembly effectively blocks wind inflow, enhancing aerodynamic performance and fuel efficiency by ensuring no gaps between air flaps and engine room components during operation.
Implementation Method 1
a tilting means for moving any one of upper and lower ends of the air flap unit along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle when each of the air flaps rotates to close the radiator grille
Implementation Method 2
the tilting means comprises an output gear coupled to a rotating shaft of any one of the air flaps and a curved rack gear meshed with one side of the output gear and installed fixedly in a housing
Data Source
AI summary
A tiltable active air flap assembly may include an air flap unit having a plurality of air flaps rotatably installed in a manner of being arranged parallel to each other and rotating simultaneously such that running wind flows into an engine room through a radiator grille of a vehicle or the running wind is blocked; a drive motor; a power transmission means for transmitting rotational force of the drive motor to any one of the plurality of air flaps; and a tilting means for moving any one of upper and lower ends of the air flap unit along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle when each of the air flaps rotates to close the radiator grille.