Vehicle Exhaust Duct Coupling for Width Misalignment Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cooling systems face challenges in absorbing positional deviations of exhaust ducts in the vehicle width direction while maintaining a high degree of freedom for the exhaust path.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle cooling system that includes an exhaust duct with a first duct portion connected to the case, a second duct portion fixed to the vehicle's floor panel, and a plate-shaped coupling member that couples these duct portions, allowing for improved positional alignment and exhaust path flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an annular and bellows-shaped coupling mechanism is used to absorb positional deviation, then positional deviation in the vehicle width direction can be absorbed, but the exhaust path's degree of freedom is reduced due to sealed exhaust path
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust duct is divided into multiple segments (first exhaust duct portion, second exhaust duct portion, third exhaust duct portion) that can move independently relative to each other, allowing the exhaust path to adapt to positional deviations while maintaining flexibility. Each segment is connected through coupling members that enable relative movement without sealing the entire exhaust path.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is designed to allow dynamic adjustment of the exhaust duct configuration. The coupling members enable the duct segments to move relative to each other in response to positional deviations, transforming a static sealed structure into a dynamic adaptable system that maintains exhaust path freedom while accommodating misalignment.
2Reliability
If a rigid sealed coupling mechanism is used to ensure exhaust path sealing, then exhaust leakage is prevented, but the ability to absorb positional deviation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust duct is segmented into multiple portions that can move independently while maintaining sealing at each connection point. The coupling members provide localized sealing between segments, allowing the overall system to accommodate positional deviations through relative segment movement while preventing exhaust leakage at each joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling members incorporate flexible sealing elements that can deform to accommodate relative movement between duct segments. These flexible sealing components maintain the exhaust path seal while allowing the rigid duct portions to move relative to each other, thus preserving both sealing reliability and positional adaptability.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex coupling mechanisms are used to absorb positional deviation, then positional alignment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex coupling mechanism is broken down into simpler modular coupling members that connect individual duct segments. Each coupling member handles a specific connection and allows limited relative movement, making the overall system easier to manufacture and assemble while achieving the required positional alignment through the cumulative effect of multiple simple joints.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single complex rigid coupling mechanism, the design employs multiple simple dynamic joints between duct segments. Each joint allows limited relative movement in specific directions, and the combination of these simple dynamic connections achieves the overall positional alignment function with greater simplicity and ease of manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes: a case; a power device accommodated in the case; and a cooling mechanism configured to introduce air in a passenger compartment of the vehicle into the case to cool the power device, the cooling mechanism includes an exhaust duct configured to allow the air to be discharged from the case, the exhaust duct includes a first duct portion connected to the case, a second duct portion fixed to a floor panel of the vehicle, and a plate-shaped coupling member coupling the first duct portion and the second duct portion, the second duct portion and the coupling member are fixed as defined herein, the fixing member is fitted in one of the through hole of the second duct portion or the through hole of the coupling member, and the other is longer than the one at least in a width direction of the vehicle.