Guide device for guiding an air flow at a front end of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a guide device (10) for guiding an air flow at a front end (11) of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one wall element (12) which is arranged between a front air guide element (13) in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x) and a radiator (14) positioned behind it, said wall element being arranged at a lateral end of the elongated air guide element (13) extending in the vehicle's transverse direction (y) and in the region of a lower collision support (16) extending in the vehicle's transverse direction (y), said lower collision support delimiting the air duct in the vehicle's transverse direction (y) on one side, said wall element being designed to at least partially guide the air flow from an area surrounding the motor vehicle along the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x) through the air duct to the radiator (14), wherein the at least one lateral wall element (12) laterally at least partially encloses the cross-section of the collision support (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a guide device for guiding an air flow at a front end of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] It is well known that effective airflow management is necessary in vehicles to support the cooling of components such as radiators while simultaneously directing the airflow through various vehicle areas. One of the challenges in this area is to guide the airflow in such a way that no leaks occur that could impair the functionality of the airflow system.

[0003] DE 10 2018 214 105 B4 discloses a front-end module for a motor vehicle, comprising a bumper cross member, a bumper cover, and a collision support. A protective element is arranged between the bumper cover and the lock carrier to protect the latter and / or the cooling module from damage in the event of a frontal crash. The module also includes an air guide element that provides an airtight connection between the air inlet and the cooling module.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a guide device for guiding an air flow at a front end of a motor vehicle, in which the air flow is guided without leaks and the efficiency of the air flow is optimized.

[0005] This object is achieved by means of a guide device for guiding an air flow at a front end of a motor vehicle with the features of patent claim 1. Further developments of the invention are described by the dependent patent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to a guide device for guiding an air flow at the front end of a motor vehicle, comprising a lateral wall element arranged between a front air guide element in the vehicle's longitudinal direction and a radiator positioned behind it. The wall element is arranged at a lateral end of the elongated air guide element extending in the vehicle's transverse direction and in the region of a lower collision support extending in the vehicle's transverse direction. The lateral wall element delimits the air duct on one side in the vehicle's transverse direction and guides the air flow from the surroundings of the motor vehicle along the vehicle's longitudinal direction through the air duct to the radiator.

[0007] To achieve the object of the invention and thus improve air flow without leaks, the invention provides that the lateral wall element at least partially encloses the cross-section of the collision support laterally. The problem of air leaks, which can occur particularly when connecting air flow elements and cooling systems, is thus solved by improved air flow. This arrangement ensures that the air flow is guided through the air duct to the radiator essentially without leaks, thereby improving the corresponding functionality of the cooling system and enhancing the overall performance of the motor vehicle, particularly since uncontrolled air flows do not further impair cooling performance and impair temperature control.

[0008] In other words, one advantage of the solution is that the new air duct segments are equipped with special "dented tracks," which allow for the automatic absorption of an ECE crash bar (compass bar) during assembly. This eliminates the need to cut off part of the air duct segments, which was necessary with the old air duct segment design for certain vehicle models in series production. Additionally, the new air duct segments remain firmly attached to the redesigned bumper base support.

[0009] Another advantage of the solution is that the new air duct segments, together with the new bumper beam (cross member / collision support), successfully prevent hot air from entering the airflow to the radiator and negatively impacting it. This prevention of the recirculation of hot air helps maintain the optimal coolant temperature for the cooling system (e.g., LT2), which in turn ensures the functionality of the vehicle computer and, for example, the 48V power pack, which are connected along the LT2 cooling circuit. The new air duct segments (left and right in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle) for this vehicle model are designed to enable or ensure the improved or optimal coolant temperature for the vehicle computer (IDC) by preventing the recirculation of hot air into the radiator airflow.Despite the cable routing, the crash brace required for pedestrian protection and the ability to assemble the front module during production, it is now possible to design air duct segments that ensure, in particular, essentially complete air sealing.

[0010] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lateral wall element completely encloses the cross-section of the collision support, resulting in even better sealing of the air duct. This design ensures that the air flow reaches the radiator without unnecessary detours and without losses, thus ensuring improved cooling.

[0011] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lateral wall element is designed to be sealed against the collision support, which further contributes to maximizing airtightness and preventing leaks in the area of ​​the air duct. This sealed arrangement ensures that the air flow is guided through the entire cooling duct without any disruption.

[0012] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the side wall element extends to an underbody panel, whereby the air flow can be guided over a greater distance, which further improves the cooling effect.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the side wall element is arranged close to the underbody paneling, thereby further improving the connection to the underbody area. This prevents air from escaping outside the designated duct and contributes to improving the overall airflow in the vehicle.

[0014] In other words, the cooling circuit for the vehicle model, for example, is a 48V cooling circuit that contains several essential EE components such as the vehicle computer (IDC Gen6 Base and IDC High), the 48V power pack, the DC-DC converter, and others, all of which are required for Level 2 autonomous driving and driver assistance functions. The IDC and the 48V power pack, for example, have a maximum permissible operating temperature of 70°C. Accordingly, if the air duct segments are not sealed, during idle conditions (i.e., the vehicle is stationary while the engine is running), a large portion of the hot air circulation will reach the front of the radiator, reducing the effective cooling surface of the radiator and thus causing the radiator coolant to reach the upper temperature limit more quickly.The new air duct segments are intended to improve the performance of the radiator, connecting the vehicle computer and the 48V power pack. This will enable the functionality of Level 2 autonomous driving and driver assistance systems.

[0015] In summary, the guide device for guiding an airflow at the front end of a motor vehicle is intended to encompass not only the side wall element, but also the complete enclosure of the cross-section of the collision support by the wall element. This enables optimal airflow guidance and an improvement in the cooling effect in the vehicle, which goes beyond the known state of the art. Furthermore, the dense arrangement and the extension of the wall element up to the underbody paneling are crucial for effective and stable airflow.

[0016] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figure(s), can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0017] Showing: Fig. 1 a design of the guide device with wall elements; and Fig. 2 a further design of the guide device with wall elements that cover a larger area.

[0018] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the guide device 10 for guiding an air flow at a front end 11 of a motor vehicle. The illustration shows, in particular, a lateral wall element 12 positioned on a right side in the vehicle's longitudinal direction x.

[0020] The guide device 10 comprises at least one wall element 12, which is arranged between a front air guide element 13 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction x and a radiator 14 positioned behind it. Alternatively, a further component 15 can be arranged in front of the radiator 14, to which the wall element 14 adjoins. The wall element 12 is also located at a lateral end of the elongated air guide element 13 extending in the vehicle's transverse direction y. It is also positioned in the region of a lower collision support 16 extending in the vehicle's transverse direction y. The wall element 12 delimits the air duct on one side and guides the air flow from the surroundings of the motor vehicle along the vehicle's longitudinal direction x through the air duct to the radiator 14.It is primarily intended that two wall elements 12 can be arranged symmetrically or partially symmetrically on both sides of the motor vehicle, depending on the design of the guide device 10, in order to enable uniform and efficient air guidance.

[0021] In this embodiment, it is shown that the lateral wall element 12 at least partially encloses the cross-section of the collision support 16. Leaks 18, 19 through which the air flow can still pass are marked in the illustration. This indicates that in this version of the guide device 10, there are still gaps or leaks in the air duct through which part of the air flow can escape uncontrollably.

[0022] Fig. Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the guide device 10, in which the wall element 12 covers a larger area. Here, too, a wall element 12 is shown on a right-hand side in the vehicle's longitudinal direction x.

[0023] In contrast to Fig. 1, no leaks 19 are shown in this embodiment, which indicates that the air duct 10 is completely sealed in this preferred embodiment. The wall element 12 now completely encompasses the cross-section of the collision support 16. As a result, the air flow is guided to the cooler 14 efficiently and without losses. The lateral wall element 12 is thus also sealed against the collision support 16, which means that no more air can escape through the connection between the wall element 12 and the collision support. This provided tightness improves the air flow and accordingly prevents the leaks 18, 19 (In Fig. 2 no longer shown).

[0024] Additionally, in this embodiment, the lateral wall element 12 extends downward in the vertical direction Z of the vehicle to an underbody panel 17 of the motor vehicle, thereby guiding the air flow along the entire air duct without interruption or loss. The lateral wall element 12 is also arranged close to the underbody panel 17, which further enhances the tightness of the entire air duct and ensures that no air escapes uncontrollably. This preferred embodiment of the guide device 10 ensures that the air flow is guided to the radiator 14 in a completely controlled manner, without leaks, which at least partially improves the cooling performance of the motor vehicle. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2018 214 105 B4

[0003]

Claims

[1] Guide device (10) for guiding an air flow at a front end (11) of a motor vehicle with at least one wall element (12), - which is arranged between a front air guide element (13) in the vehicle's longitudinal direction (x) and a cooler (14) positioned behind it, - which is arranged at a lateral end of the elongated air guide element (13) extending in the vehicle transverse direction (y) and in the region of a lower collision support (16) extending in the vehicle transverse direction (y), - which limits the air duct in the vehicle transverse direction (y) on one side, - which is designed to at least partially guide the air flow from an environment of the motor vehicle along the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) through the air duct to the radiator (14), characterized bythat the at least one lateral wall element (12) at least partially encloses the cross-section of the collision support (16) laterally. [2] Guide device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one lateral wall element (12) completely encloses the cross-section of the collision support (16) laterally. [3] Guide device (10) according to claim 2, characterized by that the at least one lateral wall element (12) is designed to be sealed against the collision support (16). [4] Guide device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one lateral wall element (12) extends to an underbody panel (17). [5] Guide device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one lateral wall element (12) is arranged close to the underbody paneling (17).

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