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US 10,946,823 B2Granted
Linkage for improved diagnostics and kinematic assembly
AssigneeMagna Exteriors Inc.
InventorJeffrey B. Manhire
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A kinematic assembly with a plurality of moveable members moveable in synchronized movement by way of a connection rod wherein the connection rod is configured to buckle if one of the members becomes somehow disengaged for providing a tactile indication of a fault condition.
Claims21
A kinematic control rod assembly comprising:
- a plurality of first body portions formed of a first material;
- a plurality of second body portions formed of a second material different from the first material, and
- a plurality of frangible connections each having an opening for connecting the kinematic control rod assembly to one of a plurality of moveable members, each one of the plurality of frangible connections is formed between one of the plurality of first body portions and one of the plurality of second body portions, wherein the plurality of first body portions and the plurality of second body portions are moveable in a synchronized movement during normal operation and upon a fault condition one or more of the plurality of first body portions and one or more of the second body portions buckles at one or more of the plurality of frangible connections upon failure of the one or more of the plurality of frangible connections, thereby providing a tactile indication of the fault condition.
An active grill assembly having a kinematic control rod assembly comprising:
- a plurality of first body portions of the kinematic control rod assembly, the plurality of first body portions being formed of a first material;
- a plurality of second body portions of the kinematic control rod assembly, the plurality of second body portions being formed of a second material different from the first material, and
- a plurality of frangible connections of the kinematic control rod assembly, each having an opening for connecting the kinematic control rod assembly to one of a plurality of moveable members, each one of the plurality of frangible connections is formed between one of the plurality of first body portions and one of the plurality of second body portions;
- a frame of the active grill assembly including a plurality of vanes and a control vane rotatably connected to both the frame and to the plurality of openings of the kinematic control rod assembly;
- and
- an actuator connected to the frame and connected to the control vane, wherein the actuator rotates the control vane causing the control vane to move the kinematic control rod assembly and the plurality of vanes, wherein the kinematic control rod assembly moves as a solid one piece element when all of the plurality of vanes are present and the kinematic control rod assembly will buckle at a pivot point located at one or more of the plurality of frangible connections when one or more of the plurality of vanes is missing or broken.
3 more elements
A process for in mold injection molding of a kinematic control rod assembly comprising the steps of:
- a. Providing a two shot molding tool having a first molding cavity for forming a plurality of first body portions of a linkage assembly, having one of a male or female hinge member;
- b. Providing a second molding cavity for forming a cooperating second body portion for connecting with first body portions which molds into and/or around the hinge portions of said one of said male or female hinge member for forming the other and cooperating portion of said male and female hinge member and connecting between respective pairs of first body portions;
- c. Using said first molding cavity to form said first body portion from a first injection moldable material in said cavity and there after changing said molding cavity to said cooperating second molding cavity with said first body portion maintained in said cooperating second molding cavity;
- and
- d. Using a second material that will be compatible to at least form a frangible bond with said first injection molding material, forming said cooperating second body portion of said assembly, where by a completed hinged assembly is realized which will function as a control rod for a series of moveable members but will buckle at one of the pivot points if one of the moveable members is absent.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.