Cowl Structure Air Intake Segmentation for Windshield Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cowl structures face a trade-off between achieving satisfactory air conditioning performance and improving windshield support rigidity, as large air intake ports required for effective air conditioning increase the open cross-sectional area, reducing support rigidity and potentially compromising pedestrian protection.
Innovation Solution
A cowl structure design featuring a dash upper panel with a first air intake port on the vehicle top side and a second air intake port in the closed cross-sectional area formed by the dash upper panel and a reinforcing component, allowing for reduced open cross-sectional area while maintaining air conditioning performance and enhancing support rigidity and pedestrian protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large air intake port is formed in the dash upper panel to guarantee satisfactory air conditioning performance, then air conditioning performance is improved, but the open cross-sectional area increases and support rigidity for the windshield deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake function is segmented into two separate ports: a first air intake port formed in the dash upper panel and a second air intake port formed in the reinforcing component. This segmentation allows the air intake area to be distributed without requiring a single large opening in the dash upper panel, thereby maintaining air conditioning performance while preserving structural rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing component serves as an intermediary structure that provides an additional air intake path. By forming the second air intake port in the reinforcing component, air can be introduced through an alternative route that does not compromise the dash upper panel's structural integrity or the open cross-sectional area.
2Reliability
If the open cross-sectional area is increased to provide sufficient air intake, then air conditioning performance is improved, but the distance from the windshield to the closed cross-sectional area increases and support rigidity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake function is divided between two separate locations: the dash upper panel and the reinforcing component. This allows the air intake ports to be positioned optimally without requiring an increased open cross-sectional area, thereby maintaining the compact distance from the windshield while ensuring sufficient air supply for air conditioning.
3Strength
If the open cross-sectional area is reduced to improve support rigidity, then windshield support rigidity is improved, but air conditioning performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake function is segmented into two separate ports located in different structural components. This allows the open cross-sectional area of the dash upper panel to be minimized for improved rigidity, while the second air intake port in the reinforcing component compensates to ensure sufficient total air intake for air conditioning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing component acts as an intermediary that provides additional air intake capacity without requiring increased opening in the dash upper panel. This enables the dash upper panel to maintain a smaller open cross-sectional area for improved rigidity while the reinforcing component's air intake port ensures adequate air supply.
4Device complexity
If a single air intake port is formed in the dash upper panel, then the structure is simple, but satisfactory air conditioning performance cannot be achieved without increasing the open cross-sectional area
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake function is segmented into two separate ports in different components (dash upper panel and reinforcing component). This segmentation enables satisfactory air conditioning performance to be achieved without requiring a single large air intake port, thereby avoiding the need to increase the open cross-sectional area and maintain structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing component is given a dual function: it provides structural reinforcement and serves as a housing for the second air intake port. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve satisfactory air conditioning performance without adding separate dedicated air intake structures, thereby maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cowl structure includes: a cowl panel that supports a bottom end portion of a windshield; a dash upper panel that extends in a vehicle up-down direction when seen in a vehicle side view, and has a top end portion bonded to the cowl panel; a reinforcing component that is bonded to a vehicle front surface or a vehicle rear surface of a bottom portion of the dash upper panel, and that forms a closed cross section with the dash upper panel; a first air intake port that is formed in the dash upper panel at a vehicle upper side of a bond portion where the dash upper panel is bonded to the reinforcing component; and a second air intake port that is formed in a bottom portion of the dash upper panel and in the reinforcing component, and that introduces air through the interior of the closed cross section.