Motor Vehicle Flap Assembly Labyrinth Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contaminants such as foliage can enter the air intake region of a motor vehicle's interior compartment ventilation device, damaging the equipment due to the collection of debris in the cowl covering area between the front flap and the windshield, which affects the air intake and ventilation system.
Innovation Solution
A flap assembly with a pivotable front flap and an assembly space wall forming a labyrinthine seal to prevent contaminants from entering the assembly space, featuring a flap wall and assembly space wall arrangement that allows air passage while retaining large solids, with through holes and adjustable spacing to ensure effective sealing and air supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cowl covering is used to collect and drain rainwater from the windshield, then water drainage is improved, but contaminants such as foliage can collect in the region and enter the air intake of the air conditioning device
Solution Approach 1:
The cowl covering is divided into a first cowl covering and a second cowl covering that are separable from each other. The first cowl covering has through-holes for air intake, while the second cowl covering can be removed to clean contaminants from the air intake region. This segmentation allows the drainage function to be maintained while enabling easy access for cleaning contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cowl covering is designed to be separable and removable from the first cowl covering. This extraction principle allows the removable cover to be taken off for cleaning purposes, enabling removal of accumulated contaminants from the air intake region without disassembling the entire assembly.
2Shape
If the front flap is positioned close to the windshield for aesthetic purposes, then the vehicle design is improved, but contaminants can easily accumulate in the gap between the front flap and windshield
Solution Approach 1:
The cowl covering is segmented into removable and fixed parts, allowing the air intake region to be accessed for cleaning while maintaining the compact front-end design. The through-holes in the first cowl covering also prevent large contaminants from entering while allowing air passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The design anticipates contaminant accumulation by providing easy access for cleaning through the removable second cowl covering. This preliminary consideration allows maintenance to be performed before contaminants cause damage to the air conditioning device.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealing action is produced between the flap wall and assembly space wall to prevent contaminant entry, then protection of the assembly space is improved, but air passage to the air conditioning device may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing arrangement is applied locally at specific positions where contaminants could enter, rather than creating a complete seal. The through-holes in the first cowl covering and the gap between the front flap and windshield provide localized air passages that maintain protection while ensuring sufficient air supply to the air conditioning device.
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 solution effectively reduces contaminant entry into the assembly space, protecting the air conditioning device and ensuring clean air intake by maintaining a labyrinthine seal and allowing air passage through strategically designed holes and spacing between the flap and assembly space walls.
Implementation Method 1
the flap wall and the assembly space wall are formed opposite each other in the closed state of the front flap, and therefore a sealing action is produced in order to prevent entry of contaminants, in particular of foliage and the like, into the assembly space. The sealing action is achieved here in the manner of a labyrinth
Data Source
AI summary
A flap assembly for a motor vehicle includes a front flap which closes an assembly space of the motor vehicle and can be pivoted between a closed state and an open state. The front flap has a flap wall which, in the closed state of the front flap, extends substantially in a vehicle vertical direction, and the assembly space has an assembly space wall. The flap wall and the assembly space wall are designed to be located opposite each other in the closed state of the front flap. They form a sealing action in order to prevent entry of contaminants into the assembly space.