Engine Heat Retention Shroud with Integrated Grille Shutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine heat retention structures suffer from poor heat retention efficiency due to gaps between the shutter holding member and the shroud, leading to increased cost and weight, as well as inefficient encapsulation from above to the front of the engine.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an upper lid part and a shroud with a grille shutter, where the grille shutter is positioned on the rear side of the shroud, allowing for efficient encapsulation from above to the front of the engine, reducing weight and cost by eliminating the need for additional components and minimizing heat loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a frame shutter holding member is disposed forward of the shroud, then the grille shutter can control air flow, but heat escapes through gaps between the shutter holding member and shroud, reducing heat retention efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter holding member is integrated with the shroud to form a unified structure, eliminating gaps between separate components. This merging ensures that the shutter can still control air flow while preventing heat escape through the interface between the holding member and shroud.
2Ease of operation
If a separate frame shutter holding member is added forward of the engine, then the grille shutter function is achieved, but the number of components increases, pushing up cost and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter holding member and shroud are combined into a single integrated component structure, reducing the total number of parts. This eliminates the need for separate mounting hardware and reduces overall weight while maintaining the grille shutter's air flow control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The shroud is designed to serve dual functions: as a structural support component and as a shutter holding member. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated separate holding member, reducing component count, weight, and cost.
3Weight of stationary object
If the shutter holding member is formed in a thinner frame shape, then cost and weight are reduced, but heat retention performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the shutter holding member with the shroud, the combined structure provides sufficient structural strength and heat retention capability without requiring a thick, heavy standalone holding member. The shroud's inherent strength supports the thinner shutter component design.
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 enhances heat retention efficiency by ensuring the grille shutter is closer to the engine, reducing the width of the shutter structure, and integrating it directly with the shroud, thereby improving weight and cost efficiency while preventing heat escape.
Implementation Method 1
the grille shutter is closed when an ignition is off... improving heat retention efficiency... preventing heat escape
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle is provided, which includes an engine bay having an upper wall, side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall, an engine disposed inside the engine bay, an upper lid part disposed inside the engine bay and covering the engine from above, a shroud disposed inside the engine bay and formed in a frame shape having an opening disposed forward of the engine, and a grille shutter provided to the shroud and configured to open and close the opening. A front end of the upper lid part is placed on an upper side of the shroud, and the grille shutter is closed when an ignition is off.