Vehicle Fender Air Intake Shutter Assembly for Snow Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snow and other debris can accumulate in vehicle air intake passages, reducing airflow and potentially stopping air flow, which is not effectively addressed by existing air intake systems.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle fender air intake assembly includes a central baffle, lower baffle, and upper baffle with shutters that can open and close to manage airflow, and an upper baffle with holes to filter out debris, ensuring consistent air intake even in snowy conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air intake passages are open to allow ambient air flow, then airflow to heat exchangers and engine is improved, but snow and debris can accumulate blocking the passages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs movable shutters that can dynamically open and close based on weather conditions. The shutters are positioned within the air intake passages and can be actuated to control airflow, allowing the system to adapt between open状态 for normal operation and closed状态 for snow protection, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining airflow and preventing snow accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces baffles as intermediary structures within the air intake passages. These baffles create physical barriers that prevent snow and debris from reaching critical components while still allowing air to flow through designated paths. The baffles act as a mediator between the open intake passages and the protected internal components, maintaining both airflow and reliability
2Reliability
If shutters are added to control airflow, then snow accumulation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake system is segmented into multiple independent passages, each equipped with its own shutter and baffle assembly. This segmentation allows individual control of different airflow paths and enables modular installation and maintenance. The segmented approach reduces overall system complexity by breaking down the control function into manageable, independent units rather than requiring a single complex control mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle fender air intake assembly for a vehicle can include a central baffle configured to be mounted to a body structure of the vehicle, a central shutter mounted on the central baffle, a lower baffle configured to be mounted to the body structure, a lower shutter mounted on the lower baffle, and an upper baffle including a first side and a second side that opposes the first side. The upper baffle can terminate at the first side and the second side. The first side can include a first opening in fluid communication with the central baffle, and the second side can include a second opening in fluid communication with the central baffle.