Vehicle Cooling Fan Movable Screen for Uniform Air Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cooling fan assemblies for vehicles do not uniformly distribute air flow into the front compartment, leading to reduced cooling performance of heat exchangers due to structural limitations and obstructions like bumpers and back beams, resulting in non-uniform air distribution and inefficient cooling.
Innovation Solution
A cooling fan assembly with a movable screen mechanism, comprising rollers and mesh elements of varying mesh openings, adjusts to vehicle speed conditions to ensure uniform air distribution across the fan shroud and cooling fan, optimizing air flow and contact with heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cooling fan assembly with hub and blades is used to draw air into the front compartment, then air can be drawn into the heat exchangers, but the air flow is not uniformly distributed due to structural limitations and obstructions like bumpers and back beams
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is divided into multiple mesh elements with different mesh opening sizes. The screen includes a first mesh element, a second mesh element, and a third mesh element, where each mesh element has a different mesh opening size. This segmentation allows different regions of the screen to handle air flow differently, compensating for the non-uniform air distribution caused by structural obstructions like bumpers and back beams.
Solution Approach 2:
Different mesh elements are positioned at different locations on the screen based on the local air flow characteristics. The first mesh element with larger mesh openings is positioned in regions where air flow is restricted by obstructions, while the second and third mesh elements with smaller mesh openings are positioned in regions with better air flow. This local quality adjustment optimizes air distribution across the entire screen surface.
2Productivity
If the screen mesh openings are made larger to improve air flow, then more air can reach the heat exchangers, but the structural strength and durability of the screen may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The screen employs different mesh opening sizes in different regions rather than using a uniform mesh size throughout. The first mesh element has larger mesh openings to maximize air flow in regions where air supply is restricted, while the second and third mesh elements have smaller mesh openings in regions where air flow is already adequate, maintaining structural integrity without compromising overall air flow performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If the screen is made stationary with fixed mesh elements, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot adapt to different vehicle speeds and air flow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is designed to be movable rather than stationary, allowing it to adjust its position and the exposure of different mesh elements based on vehicle speed and air flow conditions. The screen can be moved to expose different mesh elements selectively, enabling the system to adapt to varying operational requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that is easy to manufacture.
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 enhances the cooling performance of heat exchangers by uniformly distributing air flow, increasing contact time and heat removal rates, while also improving aerodynamic performance and fuel efficiency at higher speeds by blocking air flow when unnecessary.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of mesh elements may have a plurality of mesh openings that allow air to flow into the fan shroud and the cooling fan
Implementation Method 2
the closure element may be made of a material that is able to block the air from flowing into the fan shroud and the cooling fan
Implementation Method 3
As the cooling fan of the cooling fan assembly operates, the air passing through the grille may flow into the heat exchangers
Implementation Method 4
the cooling performance of the heat exchangers may be reduced
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling fan assembly for a vehicle is provided. The cooling fan assembly includes a cooling fan having a hub and a plurality of blades extending from the hub, a fan shroud surrounding the cooling fan, and a screen movable transversely across a front of the cooling fan and a front of the fan shroud.