Variable Air Inlet Grille With Helical Shutter Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle grilles with adjustable shutters are bulky and require separate motors for each side, complicating the mechanism and increasing size.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle grille design featuring a helical connection between shutters and a transverse part, allowing for simultaneous pivoting of flaps using a single geared motor, with a shaft and control lugs to convert rotational movement into translational movement, and utilizing a ball joint connection for directional control, enabling the flaps to adjust between closing and opening positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate motors and linkages are used to operate left and right shutters in opposite directions, then the shutters can be reliably controlled, but the device becomes bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of left and right shutters into a single integrated mechanism. One motor drives a transverse piece that simultaneously controls both left and right shutters through helical linkages, eliminating the need for separate motors and reducing overall mechanism complexity while maintaining reliable bidirectional control
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse piece serves multiple functions: it acts as a drive member connecting to both left and right shutters, provides helical linkages for bidirectional control, and enables synchronized operation of opposing shutters. This multi-functional component reduces the total number of parts needed in the system
2Ease of operation
If separate motors are used for left and right shutters, then each shutter can be independently controlled, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines what would traditionally require two separate motor units into a single motor-driven system. The transverse piece with helical linkages allows one motor to independently control both left and right shutters, significantly reducing the volume occupied by the motor assembly while maintaining independent control capability
3Reliability
If bulky linkages and separate motors are used, then reliable operation is achieved, but aerodynamic efficiency is reduced due to increased drag
Solution Approach 1:
The consolidated single-motor design with integrated transverse piece creates a more compact shutter mechanism that protrudes less into the airflow path. This reduces aerodynamic drag and improves airflow characteristics while the helical linkage system maintains reliable shutter operation
Solution Approach 2:
The helical linkages convert rotational motor motion into translational motion of the transverse piece in a compact space-efficient manner. This dimensional transformation allows the mechanism to occupy less space in the critical airflow region while maintaining full operational reliability
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 design simplifies the mechanism, reduces bulkiness, and allows for efficient automatic adjustment of air inlet openings based on driving conditions, enhancing aerodynamics and cooling efficiency while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The said drive elements comprise a transverse piece connected by a helical link to the pivots of the said flaps mounted in one or the other of the said cross members, in order to drive the said flaps in pivoting when the said transverse piece is driven in translation along the said direction perpendicular to the said cross members.
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a ball joint connection for directional control
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle grille comprising: an upper cross member (30) and a lower cross member (32) defining a transverse opening (40); a plurality of shutters (42) each having two opposite lateral edges (52, 54) and two coaxial pivots (72, 74), the pivots of each of said shutters being respectively mounted for rotation in said upper (30) and lower (32) cross members; drive members for driving said shutters (42) in pivoting between a transverse position in which they are oriented transversely to close said transverse opening, and a longitudinal position in which they release said transverse opening (40).The said drive members comprise a transverse piece (86) connected by a helical link to the pivots of the said flaps (42) mounted in one or the other of the said cross members, in order to drive the said flaps (42) in pivoting when the said transverse piece (86) is driven in translation.