Deflector Wedge for Engine Bay Component Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

During a vehicle collision, the compact engine bay of some vehicles lacks sufficient space to accommodate the impact-derived movement of air intake ducts and fuel lines, leading to potential degradation and fuel leakage due to entrapment between sharp edges.

Innovation Solution

A crash deflector wedge is integrated into the engine bay components, allowing controlled movement and rotation of the air intake duct during a collision, thereby increasing clearance and preventing contact with other components like the fuel pump.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the engine bay is designed with compact packaging to reduce vehicle size, then vehicle dimensions are reduced, but space for impact-derived movement of components is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle sizeVSAvoidspace for impact-derived movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The air intake duct is designed with a wedge-shaped component that enables dynamic rotation and movement during collision events. This dynamic feature allows the duct to adapt its position during impact, rotating away from potential contact zones while maintaining compact packaging during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The air intake duct is divided into multiple segments or sections, with at least one section capable of independent rotation relative to others. This segmentation allows different parts of the duct to move independently during collision, providing the necessary adaptability for impact-derived movement while maintaining overall compact packaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If components are positioned closer together to maximize space utilization, then packaging efficiency is improved, but risk of component contact and damage during collision increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent protection during collision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air intake duct incorporates a wedge-shaped component that enables dynamic rotation and movement during collision events. This dynamic feature allows the duct to adapt its position during impact, rotating away from potential contact zones while maintaining compact packaging during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wedge-shaped component is pre-configured to automatically rotate the air intake duct away from potential contact zones when collision forces are applied. This preliminary anti-action mechanism proactively prevents component contact and damage before it can occur, rather than reacting after damage happens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Device complexity

If the air intake duct is made fixed and rigid to simplify structure, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but ability to move during collision to prevent contact is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduct structure complexityVSAvoidprotection from component contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wedge-shaped component is integrated directly into the air intake duct structure, merging the protective function with the duct itself rather than adding separate protective mechanisms. This integration maintains structural simplicity while enabling the necessary dynamic movement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The controlled movement of the air intake duct creates additional space in the engine bay, reducing the risk of damage to critical components and preventing fuel line degradation during collisions, while maintaining compact packaging.

Implementation Method 1

a wedge shaped to rotate the air intake duct when a face of the wedge contacts the heater plenum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

The force may result in a displacement of one or more of the first, second, and third engine bay components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11186316B2Systems for a deflector wedge

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided for a deflector. In one example, a system includes a first engine bay component comprising a deflector with a deflection surface shaped to engage a second engine bay component to rotate the first engine bay component and mitigate contact between the first engine bay component and a third engine bay component.