Cooling Module Side Vents for Tangential Fan Pressure Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cooling modules in electric or hybrid motor vehicles face challenges with airflow obstruction and pressure losses due to tangential turbomachines, which can degrade vehicle aerodynamics and impair heat exchanger functionality, particularly when vehicle speed is sufficient to generate airflow without the turbomachine's assistance.
Innovation Solution
A cooling module design with a fairing and collector housing that includes vents and shutter devices on side walls, allowing airflow to bypass the turbomachine at high speeds, optimizing airflow evacuation and minimizing obstruction by equipment around the module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the tangential turbomachine is used to generate airflow when the vehicle is stationary or moving at low speed, then the cooling performance is improved, but the pressure losses and aerodynamic drag increase significantly when the vehicle is moving at high speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the shutter device movable between open and closed positions based on vehicle speed conditions. At low speeds, the shutter closes to direct airflow through the tangential turbomachine for adequate cooling. At high speeds, the shutter opens to allow airflow to bypass the turbomachine, reducing pressure losses and aerodynamic drag while maintaining cooling performance.
2Loss of energy
If additional openings are added to the rear face of the cooling module to allow airflow bypass at high speed, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but the space available within the vehicle is reduced due to obstructions from equipment like the electric motor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by relocating the airflow bypass openings from the rear face to the side walls of the cooling module. This spatial reconfiguration allows the shutter device to pivot within the lateral dimension rather than requiring rearward space, enabling effective airflow management at high speeds without interfering with equipment placement in the limited vehicle compartment space.
3Ease of operation
If the shutter device is positioned on the rear face of the cooling module, then the airflow regulation is improved, but the pivoting flaps may strike obstacles located near the cooling module such as the electric motor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by repositioning the shutter device from the rear face to the side walls of the cooling module. This lateral placement allows the pivoting flaps to rotate in a dimension away from potential rearward obstacles like the electric motor, eliminating the risk of collision while preserving the shutter's ability to effectively regulate and direct airflow through the bypass openings.
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
Enhances airflow efficiency and cooling performance by efficiently exhausting airflow through multiple vents and shutter devices, reducing pressure losses and optimizing space utilization within the limited vehicle compartment.
Implementation Method 1
a tangential turbomachine, which generates airflow in contact with the heat exchanger(s)
Implementation Method 2
at least one shutter device (43) for blocking said at least one vent (E), said shuttering device being movable between an open position and a closed position of said at least one vent
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling module for a motor vehicle (10), comprising a fairing (40) forming a duct inside which is arranged at least one heat exchanger (24, 26, 28) through which an air flow (F) is intended to pass, a manifold housing (41) arranged downstream of the fairing (40) and further comprising one or more side walls (411, 412, 413) which extend in the extension of the inner duct of the fairing (40), the cooling module (22) being characterised in that the at least one side wall (411, 412, 413) comprises at least one vent (E) for evacuating the air flow (F) as well as at least one device (43) for closing the at least one vent (E), the closure device (43) being movable between an open position and a closed position of the at least one vent (E).