Air Flow Director Fin for Transmission Cooler Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front grille designs can affect air flow to transmission coolers, impacting their cooling performance, as they often do not have features to direct air flow effectively towards these components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an air flow director fin into the front grille assembly, positioned rearward of the grille deflector, which modifies the air flow direction to improve airflow towards the transmission cooler, enhancing cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a front grille assembly is designed to protect the radiator and engine while allowing air flow, then the structural protection function is improved, but the air flow direction to the transmission cooler deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The front grille assembly is segmented into multiple functional zones: an upper grille portion for radiator protection and air flow, a lower grille portion for additional air flow control, and integrated air flow director fins. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently while collectively solving the contradiction between protection and air flow direction control.
Solution Approach 2:
Air flow director fins are introduced as intermediary elements within the front grille assembly. These fins act as mediators that redirect air flow from the general forward direction toward the specific location of the transmission cooler, enabling the grille to maintain its protective function while improving targeted air flow delivery.
2Productivity
If the transmission cooler is positioned forward of the radiator, then the air flow path is improved, but the air flow distribution to the cooler deteriorates without directing features
Solution Approach 1:
Air flow director fins serve as intermediary structures that bridge the gap between the forward-positioned transmission cooler and the general air flow from the front grille. These fins redirect air flow to specifically target the cooler, ensuring that the favorable forward positioning translates into effective air flow distribution and cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow director fins introduce a vertical dimension to air flow control by extending upward from the lower grille portion. This dimensional addition allows the fins to intercept and redirect air flow in three-dimensional space, improving air flow distribution to the transmission cooler from its forward position.
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
The air flow director fin effectively directs air flow towards the transmission cooler, improving heat removal and cooling performance compared to designs without this feature.
Implementation Method 1
The air flow director fin modifies a flow direction of air entering the engine compartment from an unmodified flow direction without the air flow director fin to a modified flow direction toward a region of the transmission cooler
Data Source
AI summary
A front grille assembly for a vehicle includes a grille deflector that allows air to flow therethrough into an engine compartment of the vehicle. A grille frame supports the grille deflector at a front of the vehicle. An air flow director fin is located on the grille frame and rearward of the grille deflector. The air flow director fin modifies a flow direction of air entering the engine compartment from an unmodified flow direction without the air flow director fin to a modified flow direction toward a region of a transmission cooler of the vehicle.