Cooling Module Air Inlet Closure for Symmetric Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure systems for motor vehicle cooling modules are unable to precisely and flexibly control the opening and closing of air intakes along the vehicle width, particularly failing to separately close brake air ducts located on the outer front areas, leading to increased fuel consumption and reduced vehicle range due to turbulent airflow.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a closure element, guide element, and control element that allows for symmetrical opening and closing of air intakes along the vehicle width, utilizing a textile closure element with a guide mechanism and cable pulls for precise control, enabling partial or full closure of air intakes to minimize turbulent airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a closure element is moved along the vehicle width to close air intakes, then turbulent flows are reduced and fuel consumption decreases, but the system cannot separately control symmetrical air intakes on opposite sides of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is divided into multiple independent segments (first closure element and second closure element) that can be controlled separately. Each segment can be moved independently along the vehicle width to close specific air intakes, enabling separate control of symmetrical air intakes on opposite sides while maintaining the ability to reduce turbulent flows and fuel consumption
2Temperature
If air intakes are kept open for efficient cooling, then cooling performance is improved, but turbulent flows increase and reduce vehicle range
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is designed to be movable along the vehicle width, transitioning between open and closed positions. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt air intake openings based on operational conditions - keeping intakes open when cooling is prioritized and closing them when reducing turbulent flows and fuel consumption is more important
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the closure element can be positioned at different locations along the vehicle width, allowing selective closing of specific air intake areas. This enables localized control where only certain air intakes are closed while others remain open, optimizing both cooling efficiency and fuel consumption based on specific operational requirements
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (2) for closing a motor vehicle cooling module, comprising: a closure element (4) for closing air inlets (6) in a motor vehicle; a guide element (8) for guiding the closure element (4) during an opening and a closing movement; and a control element (10) for controlling an opening and a closing movement of the closure element (4); wherein the closure element (4) and the guide element (8) are arranged with respect to one another and can be controlled by the control element (10) in such a way that air inlets (6) in a motor vehicle can be opened and closed by the closure element (4) along a vehicle width (B); wherein, at the same time, two air inlets (6) arranged opposite one another along a vehicle width (B) can be opened and closed by the closure element (4).