Bidirectional Vehicle Cooling Assembly With Direction-Based Airflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with cooling system assemblies at the rear or trailing end experience lower airflow volumes compared to those at the front or leading end, leading to reduced cooling capacity, potential component damage, decreased ride quality, and compromised passenger comfort and safety.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a vehicle control system that determines the operations of leading and trailing cooling system assemblies based on the vehicle's direction of travel and speed, adjusting the position of covers and fans to optimize airflow and cooling performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cooling system assembly is located at the rear or trailing end of the vehicle, then the vehicle structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the cooling capacity is reduced due to lower airflow volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cover movable between open and closed positions based on vehicle operating conditions. The cover is positioned to be open when the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly to allow airflow, and closed when the vehicle is moving fast to redirect airflow to the trailing cooling system, thereby adapting the airflow path dynamically to maintain cooling capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of airflow distribution by adjusting the cover position. When the cover is closed, it redirects a greater portion of the airflow from the leading cooling system to the trailing cooling system, effectively changing the airflow parameter to ensure sufficient cooling capacity at the trailing end
2Reliability
If the cooling system assembly is located at the front or leading end of the vehicle, then the cooling capacity is improved due to higher airflow volume from ram air, but the vehicle control complexity increases for bidirectional operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the vehicle control system to handle multiple functions: determining direction of travel, determining speed, controlling covers at both leading and trailing cooling systems, and coordinating fan operations. This multi-functional control system manages the complexity by integrating direction and speed sensing with coordinated control of multiple components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cooling system control into independent controllable units: separate covers for leading and trailing cooling systems, and coordinated fan control. This segmentation allows each component to be controlled independently based on specific conditions, managing overall system complexity through modular control
3Productivity
If the cover is positioned to restrict airflow to the trailing cooling system assembly, then the airflow volume to the leading cooling system is improved, but the cooling performance of the trailing system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cover position variable rather than fixed. The cover dynamically adjusts between open and closed positions based on vehicle speed and direction of travel, allowing the system to optimize airflow distribution in real-time according to operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the alternating operation of covers and fans based on vehicle direction changes. When the vehicle reverses direction, the roles of leading and trailing cooling systems switch, and the covers and fans are controlled to periodically adjust airflow paths to maintain optimal 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 solution enhances the cooling performance and capacity of trailing cooling system assemblies, preventing component damage, improving ride quality, passenger comfort, and vehicle safety.
Implementation Method 1
a fan configured to move air from an environment outside of the vehicle through the opening and channel to the chamber
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger component disposed in the chamber and configured to cool the air
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques for operating cooling system assemblies in a vehicle are discussed herein. The vehicle may receive a direction of travel and a speed. The vehicle may determine based on the direction of travel a leading cooling system assembly at a first end of the vehicle and a trailing cooling system assembly at a second end of the vehicle. The vehicle may determine, based on the direction of travel of the vehicle and/or whether the speed meets or exceeds a threshold speed, an action associated with the leading cooling system assembly and/or the trailing cooling system assembly and may perform the action.