Shutter system for vehicle grille
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use with a vehicle grille comprising:
- a frame;
a pair of shutters connected to said frame and pivotable relative thereto between a first position and a second position about a pivot axis, each of said shutters including an engagement member, said shutters restricting airflow through the vehicle grille in said first position and allowing airflow through the vehicle grille in said second position; and
a drive mechanism driving said shutters between said first and second positions, said drive mechanism including a drive shaft rotating relative to said frame and a drive member engaging said drive shaft, said drive member moving linearly relative to said frame, said drive member including an arcuate slot slidably engaging one of said engagement members,wherein said shutters are connected to said frame for pivotal motion in opposite directions relative to each other between said first and second positions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for use with a vehicle grille may include a frame, a shutter, and a drive mechanism. The shutter may be connected to the frame and may be pivotable relative thereto between a first position and a second position. The shutter may include a pivot axis and an engagement member. The shutter may restrict airflow through a vehicle grille in the first position and allow airflow through the vehicle grille in the second position. The drive mechanism may drive the shutter between the first and second positions. The drive mechanism may include a drive shaft rotating relative to the frame and a drive member engaging the drive shaft and moving linearly relative to the frame. The drive member may include an arcuate slot slidably engaging the engagement member.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use with a vehicle grille comprising:
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a frame; a pair of shutters connected to said frame and pivotable relative thereto between a first position and a second position about a pivot axis, each of said shutters including an engagement member, said shutters restricting airflow through the vehicle grille in said first position and allowing airflow through the vehicle grille in said second position; and a drive mechanism driving said shutters between said first and second positions, said drive mechanism including a drive shaft rotating relative to said frame and a drive member engaging said drive shaft, said drive member moving linearly relative to said frame, said drive member including an arcuate slot slidably engaging one of said engagement members, wherein said shutters are connected to said frame for pivotal motion in opposite directions relative to each other between said first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vehicle comprising:
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a vehicle body including a front end; a grille mounted to said front end; and a shutter assembly controlling airflow through said grille and including a frame, a plurality of shutters and a drive mechanism, said frame being mounted to said vehicle proximate said grille, said shutters being pivotably supported by said frame and including opposing elongated first and second sides and opposing first and second ends, said drive mechanism including an actuator driving a drive member, said drive member being coupled to each of said shutters at an engagement location disposed along said first end and between said first and second sides to pivot said shutters relative to said grille between a first position and a second position, wherein said drive mechanism includes a drive shaft rotating relative to said frame and engaging said drive member to move said drive member linearly relative to said frame, and wherein said drive shaft includes a first geared portion and said drive member includes a second geared portion engaging said first geared portion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for use with a vehicle grille comprising:
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a frame; a pair of shutters connected to said frame and pivotable relative thereto between a first position and a second position, each of said shutters including an engagement member, said shutters restricting airflow through the vehicle grille in said first position and allowing airflow through the vehicle grille in said second position; and a drive mechanism driving said shutters between said first and second positions, said drive mechanism including a drive shaft rotating relative to said frame and a drive member engaging said drive shaft, said drive member moving linearly relative to said frame, said drive member including a pair of arcuate slots, each of said arcutate slots slidably engaging said engagement member of a corresponding one of said shutters, said pair of arcuate slots having different arcuate shapes from each other. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification