Adjustable Deflection Element for Vehicle Water Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water tanks in motor vehicles face challenges in efficiently separating water from fresh air intake for air conditioning systems, leading to energy consumption issues due to high resistance, and require a compact design to minimize construction volume.
Innovation Solution
A water tank design with a deflection element extending from the top to the bottom wall, featuring an air inlet in the front wall and outlet in the rear, with flow openings between side walls and the deflection element, allowing air to flow horizontally and separate water effectively, and an adjustable deflection element to reduce resistance based on moisture levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the size of the water tank is increased to reduce resistance, then the energy consumption decreases, but the construction volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection element is made adjustable between a first position (for water separation) and a second position (for reduced resistance). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between water separation efficiency and airflow resistance based on operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and construction volume constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection element is divided into multiple adjustable parts that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows for optimized airflow paths while maintaining compact dimensions, enabling the system to achieve low resistance without increasing overall construction volume.
2Reliability
If a two-chamber water tank is used to improve water separation, then the water separation efficiency increases, but the device complexity and construction volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water separation and droplet separation functions into a single deflection chamber with one deflection element, rather than using separate chambers. This merging maintains high water separation efficiency while reducing device complexity and construction volume compared to two-chamber designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The single deflection element performs multiple functions: it deflects air flow, separates splash water, and separates water droplets from the air stream. This multi-functionality achieves the water separation efficiency of complex multi-chamber systems while maintaining a simple, compact structure.
3Reliability
If the deflection element is fixed to maximize water separation, then the water separation efficiency increases, but the resistance increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection element transitions from a fixed configuration to an adjustable one, capable of moving between a first position optimized for water separation and a second position optimized for airflow. This dynamic capability allows the system to minimize resistance and energy consumption when maximum water separation is not required, while still achieving high separation efficiency when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the deflection element to optimize performance. By adjusting the position of the deflection element, the system can modify the airflow path and separation characteristics, thereby changing the resistance and energy consumption parameters while maintaining water separation efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design achieves high water separation efficiency with low energy consumption and compact construction, ensuring minimal water enters the vehicle interior and air filter, while optimizing airflow resistance.
Implementation Method 1
the air flowing through the water tank is deflected in two directions oriented transversely to one another. The high level of efficiency is to be achieved by ensuring that most of the water droplets carried in the fresh air cannot follow the double deflection on the roof body. It is assumed that due to their inertia, the water drops descend into the water drain opening.
Implementation Method 2
at least one side edge of the deflection element is rounded according to the Coandä effect. As a result, the water and/or air to be separated is directed particularly effectively around the deflection element into the water drain opening.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The water tank has a deflection chamber (2) comprising a top wall (3), a bottom wall (4) with a water drain opening (9), an air inlet opening (10), and an air outlet opening (11). A deflector (12) is arranged in the deflection chamber (2), by which air flowing in through the air inlet opening (10) and laden with water droplets is deflected. The deflector (12) rests with its upper surface against the top wall (3) and with its lower surface against the bottom wall (4). The air inlet opening (10) is located in a front wall (5), and the air outlet opening (11) is located in a rear wall (6). A flow opening (15) is arranged between at least one side wall (7, 8) of the deflection chamber (2) and a side edge (13) of the deflector (12).