Hollow vane with structure

#The present invention relates to a hollow vane structure for use in an active grille system for automotive applications.

#Active grille systems have been developed which implement a frame having movable vanes capable of rotating between an open position and a closed position in order to selectively block or allow air flow into an engine compartment. During engine start-up the vanes can be closed in order to prevent outside air from flowing into the engine compartment and cooling the components of the engine, at least until the engine has reached optimal operating temperatures. Then once the desired engine temperature has been reached, the vanes can be opened or adjusted to allow air to flow through the engine compartment and cool the engine in order to help prevent the engine from becoming too hot.

#One key element in an active grille system is the vane, which is sometimes referred to as a louver or flap, which opens and closes. All vanes today are a single material thickness and are designed to provide some degree of bending and some degree of torsional stiffness. In order to get the proper structure of the vane, a large amount of material is required, however this can cause the vane to be too large and block the critical airflow to the cooling modules due to the vane thickness. It is desirable to create a vane used in combination with an active grille system that uses less material and provides a thinner vane, while meeting the requirements of high bending strength and torsional stiffness.

#The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 a cross-sectional plan view of a vane in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a back side plan view of a hollow vane in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention.

#The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

#Referring now to FIG. 5 a front perspective view of a vehicle 200 is shown. The vehicle 200 has an active grille shutter arrangement 100 that allows air to pass from the outside of the vehicle, through the arrangement 100 and into an engine compartment 202. The active grille shutter arrangement 100 selectively controls the airflow into the engine compartment 202, as described in greater detail below.

#Referring now to FIG. 4 the active grille shutter arrangement 100 having a frame 112 is depicted. The assembled frame 112 has as upper frame portion 114 having a first end 116 and a second end 118, as well as a lower frame portion 120 having a first end 122 and a second end 124; a first cap 126 and a second cap 128. The first end cap 126 and second end cap 128 are connected to the upper frame portion 114 and the lower frame portion 122 of the frame 112. As shown in the drawings, the shape of the assembled frame 112 is generally rectangular; however, it is possible for the frame 112 to have different shapes depending on the particular application. The frame 112 has one or more apertures, which in the present embodiment of the invention is a first aperture 132 and a second aperture 132′ created to allow air to pass through the frame 112. Between the first aperture 132 and second aperture 132′ there is a center bar 136 that contains a drive mechanism. A number of hollow vanes 134 having a vane body 10, as described with regard to FIGS. 1-3 described below, extend across one of the first aperture 132 or the second aperture 132′ and rotatably connect at one end of the hollow vane to the actuator (not shown) contained within the center bar 136 and a second end of the hollow vane to the first end cap 126 or the second end cap 138. Each of the hollow vanes 134 are capable of rotating about its axis between a closed position where the hollow vanes 134 will block its respective first aperture 132 or second aperture 132′, and an open position where air will freely pass through the first aperture 132 or the second aperture 132′.