Two-Part Air Intake Module for Tight Vehicle Packaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of maintaining effective fresh air paths with suitable flow parameters and water separation in motor vehicles with cab-forward designs, where reduced installation space and complex component integration hinder the installation and maintenance of air intake modules.
Innovation Solution
A two-part air intake module comprising a base element and an air guide element, connected via positive and/or non-positive mechanisms, allowing easy installation and maintenance without tools, with the air guide element being movable relative to the base element for flexible positioning and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a cab-forward design is used to increase interior volume and provide a flat front hood, then the vehicle interior space is improved, but the available installation space for air intake modules between the firewall and strut tower is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake module is divided into two separate parts: a base element that is permanently mounted to the body component, and an air guide element that can be detachably connected. This segmentation allows the base element to be installed in the limited space between the firewall and strut tower, while the air guide element can be attached or removed as needed, solving the space constraint problem caused by cab-forward design
2Stability of the object's composition
If the air intake module is integrated into the bulkhead with fixed components, then structural stability is improved, but the ease of maintenance and cleaning is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the air intake module into a base element and an air guide element with a detachable connection, the design maintains structural stability when assembled while enabling easy disassembly for maintenance. The air guide element can be removed without tools to clean the air intake opening, resolving the contradiction between stability and maintainability
3Reliability
If the air guide element is permanently fixed to the base element, then connection reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for maintenance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the base element and air guide element is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed - it provides a secure, reliable connection during normal operation while allowing tool-free removal when needed for maintenance. This dynamic connection特性 enables the system to switch between high reliability and ease of operation modes as required
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An air intake module (10) for an air conditioning unit of a motor vehicle, comprising a base element (12) configured to be connected, in particular screwed, to a body component of the motor vehicle, in particular to a bulkhead (204) separating the interior from an engine compartment and/or to a cross member of a windshield, an air guide element (16) having an air intake opening and configured to be fastened to the base element (12), wherein the base element (12) has a base edge portion (12r) facing the air guide element (16), and the air guide element (16) has a guide element edge portion (16r) facing the base element (12), wherein the base edge portion (12r) and the guide edge portion (16r) are configured such that the air guide element (16) is detachably connectable or connected to the base element (12),in particular by means of a positive and/or non-positive connection.