Patent ID: 8473164

Claim:
A shutter system for controlling an airstream through a grille opening having a grille mesh in a vehicle, the shutter system comprising: a plurality of louvers, each louver having a pivot axis and a louver face, wherein each louver face is offset from its respective pivot axis; and a mechanism configured to select a position for the shutter system between and inclusive of fully opened and fully closed by rotating each of the plurality of louvers about its respective pivot axis; wherein: each of the plurality of louvers rotates in tandem with every other one of the plurality of louvers during the selection of the position for the shutter system; the louver face of each of the plurality of louvers is rotated to a position parallel to the airstream when the shutter system is fully opened, is positioned to restrict the airstream through the grille opening when the shutter system is partially closed, and is positioned adjacent to the grille opening and immediately behind the grille mesh when the shutter system is fully closed; and the louver face of each of the plurality of louvers is offset by a first distance from the respective pivot axis such that each of the louvers swings out toward the grille mesh a relatively shorter second distance from the louver's fully closed to the louver's fully opened position.