Air Guide for front end cooling

Abstract

An air guide system (32) for a vehicle front end structure (20) includes a first air guide (34) and a second air guide (36). Each air guide (34, 36) includes a body (40) attachable to a front-end carrier (28) and a serpentine compression section (28) coupled to the body and configured to project from a frontward facing side (33) of the front-end carrier (44). The first and second air guides (34, 36) project toward a vehicle fascia (26), and each serpentine compression section (44) collapses in response to interference from the vehicle fascia (26) to create a seal between a cooling module (30) and the vehicle fascia (26).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the field of air management in a vehicular front end. More specifically, the present invention relates to an air guide for front end cooling. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A motor vehicle, such as an automobile, truck, and the like, typically has an engine compartment located at the front of the vehicle. In general, an internal front end support structure bridges the front of the engine compartment and supports a radiator that is part of the engine's cooling system. When the vehicle is equipped with air conditioning, a condenser mounts in front of the radiator. The condenser and radiator are cooled by air that passes through them. The air may be forced through the condenser and radiator by ram air effect when the vehicle is in forward motion, and / or by being drawn through the condenser and radiator by a cooling fan typically located directly behind the radiator. [0003] In some vehicles the front end suppor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an air guide system for a vehicle that has several technical advantages. Firstly, it creates a tight seal between the front end support structure and a vehicle component. Secondly, it is resistant to twisting during compression. Thirdly, it is cost-effective to produce and install onto the front end support structure of a vehicle. Overall, this air guide system improves the performance of the vehicle and provides better protection for its components."

Problems solved by technology

This gap is required so that the relatively stiff air guide does not come into contact with the vehicle fascia which can make vehicle fascia assembly difficult and which can potentially damage the vehicle fascia and / or the air guide during assembly.

Unfortunately, this gap allows warm air to recirculate, thus reducing performance of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the vehicle.

Unfortunately, addition of a material onto the air guide increases the cost of the air guide in terms of both materials and labor.

Moreover, this material may eventually disintegrate or become disengaged from the air guide so that the gap once again becomes problematic in terms of reducing performance of the HVAC system.

Yet another problem with some prior art air guides is that compression of the air guide by the vehicle fascia during assembly can cause the air guide to twist inboard thus reducing the open surface area in front of the condenser / radiator.

Of course, any blockage restricts the amount of air that is able to flow through the condenser / radiator thereby further reducing HVAC system performance.

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