Air Intake Assembly with Converging Inlets for Radiator Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive air cooling systems face inefficiencies due to reduced air flow caused by minimized front end profiles for aerodynamic improvements, leading to turbulent and stagnant air flows which compromise cooling performance, especially in vehicles with mid- and rear-mounted engines.
Innovation Solution
An air intake assembly with a first and second air inlet, where the second inlet has a smaller dimension to create a higher velocity airflow that converges with the first airflow, aided by an air flow directing member with an aerofoil-like cross-section to minimize turbulence and enhance laminar flow, ensuring effective air flow to the radiator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the front end profile of the vehicle is minimized to improve aerodynamic properties, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the area available for air intake is reduced, leading to compromised cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake system is divided into multiple separate air inlets (first air inlet and second air inlet) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the system to maintain adequate total air intake area while fitting within a minimized front end profile, thus preserving cooling performance without compromising aerodynamic efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes vertical positioning of air inlets at different heights (upper and lower positions) to create three-dimensional air intake pathways. This dimensional approach allows sufficient air intake area to be achieved within a compact front end profile, resolving the contradiction between minimized vehicle profile and adequate cooling air supply
2Shape
If the size of the front end of the vehicle is reduced, then aerodynamic properties are improved, but the air flow to the radiator is reduced, leading to cooling problems
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow directing member is designed with an aerofoil-like cross-section that creates localized high velocity zones. This local quality enhancement ensures that air flows efficiently through the radiator despite the reduced overall front end size, maintaining productivity while preserving aerodynamic shape
Solution Approach 2:
The second air inlet is designed with smaller dimensions than the first air inlet, creating a higher velocity air flow. This parameter change in inlet size and flow velocity compensates for the reduced total air intake area, maintaining adequate air flow productivity through the radiator while allowing for a minimized front end profile
3Reliability
If dual air inlets are used to maintain air flow, then cooling performance is improved, but turbulence and recycled air flow increase in large front bay spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow directing member acts as an intermediary element between the two air inlets and the radiator. It mediates the convergence of air flows from different sources, organizing them into a stable, laminar flow pattern that reduces turbulence and prevents recycled air flow, thus maintaining both cooling performance and flow stability
Solution Approach 2:
By designing the second air inlet with smaller dimensions to create higher velocity flow, the invention changes the flow parameters to promote laminar convergence. The higher velocity from the smaller inlet counteracts turbulent mixing, stabilizing the combined air flow while maintaining effective cooling performance
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 configuration improves air flow convergence, reducing turbulence and stagnant air pockets, thereby maintaining efficient engine cooling while allowing for a more aerodynamic vehicle design without compromising cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an air flow directing member arranged, in use, between the first and second inlets so as to converge the first and second air flows into a laminar air flow downstream of the air flow directing member. The air flow directing member preferably has an aerofoil-like cross section
Implementation Method 2
converge the first and second air flows into a laminar air flow downstream of the air flow directing member
Implementation Method 3
The second air inlet has at least one dimension that is smaller than the equivalent dimension of the first air inlet so that the second air flow has a higher velocity than the first air flow; thereby to converge the first and second air flows downstream
Implementation Method 4
the higher velocity of the lower air flow, compared to the velocity of the upper air flow, draws in the upper air flow due to the differential pressures
Implementation Method 5
Heat produced by the engine is transferred to the air as the air passes across the radiator
Data Source
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AI summary
An air intake assembly for an air cooling system of an automotive vehicle having a radiator, the air intake assembly comprising a first air inlet upstream of the radiator which defines a first air flow into the air cooling system, in use, and a second air inlet upstream of the radiator which defines a second air flow into the air cooling system, in use. The second air inlet has at least one dimension that is smaller than the equivalent dimension of the first air inlet so that the second air flow has a higher velocity than the first air flow, thereby to converge the first and second air flows downstream of the first and second air inlets into a single flow through the radiator.