Vehicle Airflow Shutter Control via Opposing Actuator Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shutter systems in vehicles lack efficient mechanisms to control airflow through grille openings, affecting both aerodynamic drag and aesthetics, as they typically require complex actuation to switch between flow-restricting and flow-permitting positions.
Innovation Solution
A flow control assembly featuring a plurality of shutters actuated by a single rotatable actuator assembly, with links that rotate the shutters in opposite directions to switch between flow-restricting and flow-permitting positions, allowing for more airflow through apertures and altering the appearance of the grille opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single actuator assembly is used to control multiple shutters, then device complexity is reduced, but it becomes challenging to achieve precise positioning of each shutter in opposite directions
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the shutter control into multiple independent actuator links (first actuator link for first shutter, second actuator link for second shutter), each capable of precise independent positioning while being driven by a single actuator assembly. This allows precise control of each shutter's position and rotation direction without requiring multiple actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator links are configured with asymmetric geometries and mounting positions that enable them to translate the single actuator's rotation into opposite方向的 shutter movements. The first actuator link is positioned to drive the first shutter clockwise, while the second actuator link is positioned to drive the second shutter counterclockwise, achieving precise opposite positioning through asymmetric mechanical advantage.
2Temperature
If shutters are positioned to permit maximum airflow, then cooling efficiency is improved, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter positions are made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the system to optimize the balance between cooling and aerodynamic drag based on operating conditions. The actuator assembly can rotate the shutters to any position between fully closed and fully open, enabling real-time optimization of airflow versus drag characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the airflow parameter by rotating shutters to different angular positions. By adjusting the shutter angle parameter, the system can control the amount of airflow through the grille opening, thereby managing the trade-off between cooling efficiency (higher airflow) and aerodynamic drag (lower airflow).
3Adaptability or versatility
If shutters are designed to rotate in opposite directions, then flow control flexibility is improved, but linkage mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single actuator assembly serves multiple functions by simultaneously controlling both the first and second shutters through separate actuator links. This universal actuator can drive shutters in opposite directions, achieve various flow control positions, and maintain aesthetic appearances, reducing the need for multiple specialized actuators while providing flexible flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator links serve as intermediary mechanical elements that translate the actuator assembly's rotation into opposite方向的 shutter movements. These intermediary linkages simplify the overall mechanism by providing a straightforward mechanical transmission path from a single actuator to multiple shutters, avoiding the need for complex differential mechanisms.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If shutters remain closed to reduce drag, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but aesthetic appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to preliminarily maintain shutters in a closed position for aerodynamic efficiency, with the capability to quickly open them when aesthetic appearance or cooling requirements demand. The actuator assembly can rapidly transition shutters from closed to open positions, allowing the vehicle to spend most time in the aerodynamically optimal closed state while being able to achieve aesthetic appearances when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow control assembly to control flow to an area of a vehicle includes, among other things, a plurality of shutters including at least one first shutter and at least one second shutter, an actuator assembly rotatable about an axis, a first actuator link operably coupling the actuator assembly to the at least one first shutter, a second actuator link operably coupling the actuator assembly to the at least one second shutter. Rotation of the actuator assembly in a first direction moves the first actuator link to rotate the at least one first shutter in a clockwise direction from a flow restricting position to a flow permitting position. Rotation of the actuator assembly in the first direction additionally moves the second actuator link to rotate the at least one second shutter in a counterclockwise direction from a flow restricting position to a flow permitting position.