Features of shutter system using modular SMA spring actuator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11458808-B2
Application number	US-202016855439-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 22, 2020
Priority date	Apr 22, 2020
Publication date	Oct 4, 2022
Grant date	Oct 4, 2022

Abstract

A shutter system for use in a vehicle. The shutter system comprises a panel mounted on a conduit through which air flows, the panel having a first plurality of apertures for permitting air to flow therethrough; and a grille movably mounted on a surface of the panel, the grille having a second plurality of apertures for permitting air to flow therethrough. In an open position, the grille is aligned with the panel such that the first and second plurality of apertures are aligned to permit air to flow through both the first and second plurality of apertures. In a closed position, the grille is aligned with the panel such that the first and second plurality of apertures are not aligned and air is blocked from flowing through the first and second plurality of apertures. The shutter system comprises a first actuator mechanism coupled to the panel and the grille and comprising a first bias spring and a first shape-memory alloy (SMA) spring. The first actuator mechanism moves the grill between the open position and the closed position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A shutter system comprising:
a panel configured to be mounted on a conduit through which air flows, the panel having a first plurality of apertures for permitting air to flow therethrough;
a grille movably mounted on a surface of the panel, the grille having a second plurality of apertures for permitting air to flow therethrough, wherein in an open position, the grille is aligned with the panel such that the second plurality of apertures are aligned with the first plurality of apertures to permit air to flow through both the first and second plurality of apertures and wherein in a closed position, the grille is aligned with the panel such that the second plurality of apertures are not aligned with the first plurality of apertures and air is blocked from flowing through the shutter system;
a first actuator mechanism coupled to the panel and the grille and comprising a first bias spring and a first shape-memory alloy (SMA) spring, the first actuator mechanism configured to move the grille between the open position and the closed position; and
a cold stop fixedly mounted on the panel such that the cold stop halts movement of the grille when the grille reaches the closed position.

2. The shutter system of claim 1 , wherein the first bias spring and the first SMA spring are fixedly coupled to the panel.

3. The shutter system of claim 2 , wherein the first bias spring and the first SMA spring are movably coupled to the grille.

4. The shutter system of claim 3 , wherein the first bias spring and the first SMA spring move the grille relative to the panel as a force exerted by the first SMA spring changes as ambient temperature changes.

5. The shutter system of claim 4 , wherein as the ambient temperature increases, the first bias spring and the first SMA spring move the grille towards the open position, and wherein as the ambient temperature decreases, the first bias spring and the first SMA spring move the grille towards the closed position.

6. The shutter system of claim 4 , wherein as the ambient temperature decreases, the first bias spring and the first SMA spring move the grille towards the open position, and wherein as the ambient temperature increases, the first bias spring and the first SMA spring move the grille towards the closed position.

7. The shutter system of claim 1 , further comprising a hot stop fixedly mounted on the panel such that the hot stop hafts movement of the grille when the grille reaches the open position.

8. The shutter system of claim 1 , further comprising a second actuator mechanism coupled to the panel and the grille and comprising a second bias spring and a second shape-memory alloy (SMA) spring, the second actuator mechanism configured to move the grille between the open position and the closed position.

9. The shutter system of claim 8 , wherein the first and second actuator mechanisms are coupled to the panel and the grille on opposite sides of the grille.

10. A vehicle vent system configured to control airflow into a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the vehicle vent system comprising:
a panel configured to be mounted on a conduit in the vehicle through which air flows, the panel having a first plurality of apertures for permitting air to flow therethrough and into the passenger compartment;
a grille movably mounted on a surface of the panel, the grille having a second plurality of apertures for permitting air to flow therethrough, wherein in an open position, the grille is aligned with the panel such that the second plurality of apertures are aligned with the first plurality of apertures to permit air to flow through both the first and second plurality of apertures and wherein in a closed position, the grille is aligned with the panel such that the second plurality of apertures are not aligned with the first plurality of apertures and air is blocked from flowing through the vehicle vent system;
a first actuator mechanism coupled to the panel and the grille and comprising a first bias spring and a first shape-memory alloy (SMA) spring, the first actuator mechanism configured to move the grille between the open position and the closed position; and
a cold stop fixedly mounted on the panel such that the cold stop halts movement of the grille when the grille reaches the closed position.

11. The vehicle vent system of claim 10 , wherein the first bias spring and the first SMA spring are fixedly coupled to the panel.

12. The vehicle vent system of claim 11 , wherein the first bias spring and the first SMA spring are movably coupled to the grille.

13. The vehicle vent system of claim 12 , wherein the first bias spring and the first SMA spring move the grille relative to the panel as a force exerted by the first SMA spring changes as ambient temperature changes.

14. The vehicle vent system of claim 13 , wherein as the ambient temperature increases, the first bias spring and the first SMA spring move the grille towards the open position, and wherein as the ambient temperature decreases, the first bias spring and the first SMA spring move the grille towards the closed position.

15. The vehicle vent system of claim 13 , wherein as the ambient temperature decreases, the first bias spring and the first SMA spring move the grille towards the open position, and wherein as the ambient temperature increases, the first bias spring and the first SMA spring move the grille towards the closed position.

16. The vehicle vent system of claim 10 , further comprising a hot stop fixedly mounted on the panel such that the hot stop halts movement of the grille when the grille reaches the open position.

17. The vehicle vent system of claim 10 , further comprising a second actuator mechanism coupled to the panel and the grille and comprising a second bias spring and a second shape-memory alloy (SMA) spring, the second actuator mechanism configured to move the grille between the open position and the closed position.

18. The vehicle vent system of claim 17 , wherein the first and second actuator mechanisms are coupled to the panel and the grille on opposite sides of the grille.

19. A shutter system comprising:
a panel configured to be mounted on a conduit through which air flows, the panel having a first plurality of apertures for permitting air to flow therethrough;
a grille movably mounted on a surface of the panel, the grille having a second plurality of apertures for permitting air to flow therethrough, wherein in an open position, the grille is aligned with the panel such that the second plurality of apertures are aligned with the first plurality of apertures to permit air to flow through both the first and second plurality of apertures and wherein in a closed position, the grille is aligned with the panel such that the second plurality of apertures are not aligned with the first plurality of apertures and air is blocked from flowing through the shutter system;
a first actuator mechanism coupled to the panel and the grille and comprising a first bias spring and a first shape-memory alloy (SMA) spring, the first actuator mechanism configured to move the grille between the open position and the closed position; and
a second actuator mechanism coupled to the panel and the grille and comprising a second bias spring and a second shape-memory alloy (SMA) spring, the second actuator mechanism configured to move the grille between the open position and the closed position.

20. A vehicle vent system configured to control airflow into a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the vehicle vent system comp

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Kim Wonhee M
• Tapuchievici Calin
• Christoff Nicholas J
• Nguyen Kevin P

Classifications

• B60H1/00864 Primary

  Ventilators and damper doors · CPC title

• F24F13/12

  built up of sliding members · CPC title

• B60H2001/3478

  acting on additional damper doors · CPC title

• B60H1/00671

  Damper doors moved by rotation; Grilles · CPC title

• B60H2001/3471

  Details of actuators · CPC title