Motor Vehicle Cowl Cover Segmented Walls Water Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cowl cover assemblies for motor vehicles require significant vertical installation space to effectively drain water from the windshield while preventing water from entering the air intake area, which limits their water collection capacity and increases pressure loss during air intake.

Innovation Solution

A cowl cover assembly featuring two walls arranged one behind the other, with the first wall collecting and draining water and the second wall providing additional water collection and drainage capacity, integrated with the cowl cover to reduce vertical height and prevent water from entering the air intake, utilizing plastic injection molding for a lightweight and weather-resistant design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the deflector is designed to be relatively high to prevent water from getting into the air intake area, then water prevention capability is improved, but vertical installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater prevention capabilityVSAvoidvertical installation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cowl cover is segmented into multiple functional walls: a first wall for water collection, a second wall for additional water collection and air intake, and a third wall for air intake. This segmentation allows each wall to be optimized for its specific function, enabling effective water prevention with reduced overall vertical height compared to a single tall deflector.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single vertical deflection surface to a multi-chambered structure with walls arranged in series along the water flow path. This dimensional reorganization allows water to be collected and drained through multiple lower walls rather than requiring one tall wall, effectively reducing vertical space while maintaining water prevention capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If a single tall deflector is used to drain water, then water drainage function is provided, but water collection capacity is limited and pressure loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater collection capacityVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The water collection function is segmented across multiple walls (first, second, and third walls) with multiple drainage openings. The first wall collects water from the windshield, the second wall collects additional water and provides air intake, and the third wall provides further air intake. This segmentation increases total water collection capacity while distributing drainage across multiple openings, reducing pressure loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges water collection and air intake functions into a single integrated cowl cover structure. The second and third walls serve dual purposes by providing both water drainage pathways and air intake openings, eliminating the need for separate components and increasing overall efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple separate components are used for water collection and drainage, then water drainage effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drainage effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional elements (first wall, second wall, third wall, drainage openings, and air intake passages) are merged into a single integrally formed cowl cover component. This monolithic structure maintains effective water drainage through its multi-chambered design while eliminating the complexity of assembling multiple separate parts and reducing the number of sealing points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cowl cover is designed as a universal multi-functional component that simultaneously performs water collection, water drainage, and air intake functions. The first wall handles primary water collection, the second wall provides additional water collection and air intake, and the third wall provides further air intake, making the single component highly versatile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration achieves efficient water drainage with reduced vertical installation space, minimizing water entrainment into the air intake and lowering pressure loss, allowing for streamlined air intake with enhanced water separation capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a first wall (7) for collecting water draining from the windshield over the cowl cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a second wall (9) for collecting water flowing over or through the first wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

an air intake port of an indoor ventilation device is arranged behind the second wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3283353B1Windshield cover arrangement for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP3283353B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a windshield cover arrangement for a motor vehicle, having a windshield cover which adjoins a lower end of a front pane and extends in the direction of a width of the motor vehicle. The windshield cover arrangement further has a first wall for collecting water flowing from the front pane over the windshield cover. The windshield cover arrangement further has a second wall for collecting water flowing over or through the first wall. The invention further relates to at least one water outlet for discharging the water collected by the second wall.