Differential Cooling Air Cover Drive for Vehicle Aerodynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cooling systems in motor vehicles face challenges in efficiently managing the airflow to coolant coolers, leading to increased flow resistance and poor aerodynamics, particularly when multiple coolant coolers with different cooling demands are integrated into a single system, requiring complex and costly engineering solutions to adjust cover devices independently.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a shared drive mechanism that couples two cover devices to vary airflow to separate coolant coolers, allowing the second cover device to open earlier and faster than the first, enabling partial or full opening while the first remains closed, optimizing airflow and reducing flow resistance through a gear system with coupling rods or cables, and potentially incorporating a toothed wheel system for differential movement speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple coolant coolers are integrated into a single cooling system with separate cover devices, then each cooler can be independently controlled to meet different cooling demands, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cover devices into a single integrated cover structure that can be controlled by one drive mechanism. The shared drive mechanism actuates the integrated cover to selectively block airflow to different coolant coolers based on their cooling demands, thereby reducing the number of separate control systems while maintaining independent control capability for each cooler.
Solution Approach 2:
The single drive mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling the integrated cover to regulate airflow to different coolant coolers. This universal drive mechanism replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate drives, simplifying the overall system while enabling independent control of each cooler's cooling air supply.
2Temperature
If cooling air is supplied to coolant coolers through the radiator grille, then the coolers can be cooled effectively, but the flow resistance increases and aerodynamics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable cover devices that can change their position and opening degree based on real-time cooling demands of different coolant coolers. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize airflow paths, blocking cooling air to coolers that do not require cooling at any given moment, thereby reducing unnecessary flow resistance and improving aerodynamics while maintaining effective cooling when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cover structure provides localized control over airflow to different coolant coolers, allowing each cooler to receive cooling air only when its specific cooling demand requires it. This local quality control prevents unnecessary airflow through the engine compartment, reducing overall flow resistance and energy loss while maintaining adequate cooling performance for active coolers.
3Ease of manufacture
If a shared drive mechanism is used to control multiple cover devices, then the manufacturing cost and device complexity are reduced, but the ability to independently adjust each cover device is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated cover structure is segmented into multiple controllable sections or zones, each associated with a specific coolant cooler. The single drive mechanism is designed to actuate these segmented sections independently through mechanical linkages or actuators, allowing each section to be adjusted separately while sharing the common drive system. This segmentation maintains independent adjustment capability while benefiting from the cost and complexity reductions of a shared drive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary mechanical elements or linkages between the shared drive mechanism and the multiple cover sections. These intermediaries enable the single drive to independently control each cover device by translating the drive's motion into separate adjustment actions for each cooler's cover, thereby preserving adaptability while achieving manufacturing simplicity.
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 allows for efficient adjustment of cooling air supply to meet varying demands, reducing energy consumption by minimizing airflow resistance and enhancing aerodynamics, while maintaining optimal cooling performance across different coolant cooler operating temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the first cover device and the second cover device can be moved by means of an interposed gear of a shared drive
Implementation Method 2
this thermal energy is then transferred to the ambient air in at least one coolant cooler
Implementation Method 3
the rotor of a compressor that is integrated into a fresh gas line of the internal combustion engine, thus compressing the fresh gas
Implementation Method 4
a turbine with a rotor through which exhaust gas flows that has been discharged by the internal combustion engine, as a result of which the rotor is driven so as to rotate
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system for a motor vehicle, has a first cooling circuit arrangement with a first coolant cooler and a second coolant circuit arrangement with a second coolant cooler. A cooling air supply to the first coolant cooler can be varied by means of a first cover device, and a cooling air supply to the second coolant cooler can be varied by means of a second cover device. The first cover device and the second cover device can be moved by means of an interposed gear of a shared drive, whereby the gear is configured such that, when the drive is being operated for opening purposes, the second cover device is moved earlier and/or faster than the first cover device out of a closed position in the direction of an open position. This makes it possible to supply cooling air to meet an already existent cooling demand of the second coolant cooler, whereas such a cooling demand does not yet exist for the first coolant cooler, so that the latter can still remain covered—in terms of a flow of cooling air—by means of the associated (first) cover device. This can have a positive effect on the flow resistance for the cooling air and thus on the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle.