Front Bumper Baffle Structure for Heat Exchanger Air Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for motor vehicles are complex and costly due to the use of different materials and precise manufacturing requirements for air recirculation towards the heat exchanger.
Innovation Solution
A simplified design using a rigid obstruction partition extending from the front bumper deflector to the front fascia with a controlled distance and right-angled profile, allowing airflow obstruction and preventing flapping, made of the same material as the deflector, reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rigid obstruction partition is used to obstruct airflow, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but the partition may flap against the front fascia causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer element is introduced as an intermediary component between the rigid obstruction partition and the front fascia. This buffer element absorbs the impact when the partition moves toward the fascia, preventing direct contact and noise generation while allowing the use of rigid, cost-effective materials for the partition itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer element is positioned in advance between the partition and fascia to cushion any potential impact. This pre-positioned cushioning prevents the rigid partition from directly striking the fascia, eliminating noise while maintaining the structural simplicity and low cost of the rigid partition design.
2Reliability
If the obstruction partition extends close to the front fascia, then airflow obstruction is improved, but the partition becomes more susceptible to flapping and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer element serves as a mediator that allows the partition to be positioned close to the fascia for effective airflow obstruction while preventing direct contact. The buffer absorbs minor movements and vibrations, maintaining both airflow control and noise prevention.
3Reliability
If different materials are used for the deflector and obstruction partition, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The obstruction partition is made from the same rigid plastic material as the deflector, creating homogeneity in material selection. This simplifies manufacturing processes, reduces the number of material types to manage, and lowers production costs while the buffer element handles the specific functional requirement of noise prevention.
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 solution provides effective air recirculation to the heat exchanger while minimizing production complexity and noise, using less expensive materials and a straightforward construction.
Implementation Method 1
an obstruction partition, configured to obstruct the passage
Implementation Method 2
providing a controlled distance between the free edge of the obstruction partition and the front facade allows the use of more rigid, and therefore less expensive, materials, while preventing the partition from flapping against the front facade while the vehicle is in motion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Motor vehicle comprising: a front facade (5) with a heat exchanger (5A), a front bumper (3); and a baffle (9) for the front bumper (3), having a wall (11) extending from a lower edge (3C) of the front bumper (3) to below and at a distance from the front facade (5), forming a passage (7) between said wall (11) and said facade (5); and an obstruction partition (13) that is configured to obstruct the passage (7); the obstruction partition (13) extending between the wall (11) of the baffle (9) for the front bumper (3) towards the front facade (5) up to a free edge (13A) of said partition (13) that is located at a distance from said facade (5).