Variable or stepped louver activation for active grille system

An active grille system, comprising:

• a frame;
• a first set of at least one louver rotatably mounted to said frame;
• a second set of at least one louver rotatably mounted to said frame;
• a camming mechanism for providing selective actuation of said first set of at least one louver and said second set of at least one louver;
• and
• an actuator which controls said camming mechanism such that said actuator moves said camming mechanism between a first position, a second position, and a third position;
• wherein said first set of at least one louver and said second set of at least one louver are in a closed position when said camming mechanism is in said first position, said first set of at least one louver is in an open position and said second set of at least one louver is in a closed position when said camming mechanism is in said second position, and said first set of at least one louver and said second set of at least one louver are in an open position when said camming mechanism is in said third position;
• a first camming plate mounted to a shaft, said shaft connected to said actuator;
• a second camming plate mounted to said shaft such that said first camming plate and said second camming plate rotate substantially in unison;
• a first link pivotally connected to the first louver, and operable with said first camming plate for moving the first set of at least one louver;
• and
• a second link pivotally connected to the second louver, and operable with said second camming plate for moving said second set of at least one louver;
• wherein as said first camming plate is moved between said first position, said second position, and said third position, said first camming plate moves said first link and said first set of at least one louver between said open position and said closed position, and as said second camming plate is moved between said first position, said second position, and said third position, said second camming plate moves said second link and said second set of at least one louver between said open position and said closed position.

An active grille system comprising:

• a frame;
• a first set of at least one louver rotatably mounted to said frame;
• a second set of at least one louver rotatably mounted to said frame;
• a camming mechanism including a first camming plate rotatably mounted to said frame;
• wherein said camming mechanism further includes a second camming plate rotatably mounted to said frame such that said first camming plate and said second camming plate rotate substantially in unison;
• an actuator which controls the rotation of said first camming plate and said second camming plate such that said actuator moves said first camming plate and said second camming plate between a first position, a second position and a third position;
• a first link connecting said first set of at least one louver to said first camming plate;
• a second link connecting said second set of at least one louver to said second camming plate;
• a first slot formed in said first camming plate for receiving a pin extending from said first link;
• a first active portion formed as part of said first slot, and said pin of said first link moves in said first active portion as said camming mechanism is rotated from said first position to said second position;
• a first idle portion formed as part of said first slot, and said pin connected to said first link moves in said first idle portion of said first slot when said first camming plate moves from said second position to said third position;
• a second slot formed in said second camming plate for receiving a pin extending from said second link;
• a second active portion formed as part of said second slot, and said pin of said first link moves in said second active portion as said camming mechanism is rotated from said first position to said second position;
• a second idle portion formed as part of said second slot, and said pin connected to said first link moves in said second idle portion of said first slot when said first camming plate moves from said second position to said third position;
• and
• wherein said first set of at least one louver and said second set of at least one louver are in a closed position when said first camming plate and second camming plate are in said second position.