Cowl Vent Grille Low-Wall Structure Against Rainwater Infiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cowl vent grilles allow rainwater to infiltrate the ventilation system during heavy rain, posing risks of water stagnation and potential electrical equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A cowl vent grille design with a low wall extending along the junction between the connecting and second walls to block water flow from the first wall, incorporating a channel or rib structure to redirect water away from the air inlet grille.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cowl vent grille uses a standard wall configuration without additional blocking structures, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing is simple, but water infiltration occurs during heavy rain causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The cowl vent grille is divided into multiple functional walls: a first wall for structural support, a second wall with the air inlet grille for ventilation, and a connecting wall linking them. This segmentation allows each wall to perform its specific function while collectively preventing water infiltration.
Solution Approach 2:
A low wall is added extending from the connecting wall towards the first wall, creating a three-dimensional blocking structure. This additional dimensional element forms a channel that redirects water flow away from the air inlet grille, effectively preventing water infiltration without significantly increasing overall complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cowl vent grille includes additional walls and blocking structures to prevent water infiltration, then water protection improves, but the manufacturing complexity and production difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The low wall is integrated as part of the connecting wall structure, forming a unified component that combines the connecting function with the water blocking function. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies manufacturing processes while maintaining effective water protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting wall serves multiple functions: it structurally connects the first and second walls, provides support for the low wall, and through the low wall extension, creates a water redirecting channel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated water blocking components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the second wall is positioned offset from the first wall to create the cowl vent space, then the ventilation system functionality is achieved, but water can spill over and infiltrate during heavy rain
Solution Approach 1:
The low wall acts as an intermediary element between the connecting wall and the first wall, creating a protective channel that mediates water flow. This intermediary structure redirects water away from the air inlet grille while maintaining the offset positioning of the second wall for ventilation 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
Effectively prevents water from entering the air inlet grille, reducing infiltration risks and protecting electrical components from moisture.
Implementation Method 1
a low wall extending along the edge located at the junction between the connecting wall and the second wall, at least opposite the air inlet grille, so as to block the flow of a liquid from the first wall towards the second wall
Data Source
AI summary
A cowl vent grille (10) including a first wall (11), a second wall (12) not aligned with the first wall (11) and offset with respect to said first wall (11), including an air inlet grille (14), a connecting wall (13) connecting an edge of the first wall (11) to an edge of the second wall (12), the first wall (11) extending on one side of the connecting wall (13) and the second wall (12) extending on the opposite side of said connecting wall (13) with respect to the first wall (11). The cowl vent grille (10) includes a low wall (15) extending along the edge located at the junction between the connecting wall (13) and the second wall (12), at least opposite the air inlet grille (14), so as to block the flow of a liquid from the first wall (11) towards the second wall (12).