Vehicle Fluid Elbow Guide Elements for Low Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing angle pieces for fluid line connections in vehicles cause significant pressure drops due to turbulence at sharp edges, leading to energy inefficiencies in fluid systems.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating guide elements within the angle piece to deflect fluid flow before it encounters the edge, reducing vortex formation and pressure drops, and using a support ring and arc-shaped guide elements to facilitate production and material selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a sharp edge is formed between legs of the elbow using separate mold cores, then the manufacturing process is simplified and mold cores can be easily withdrawn, but turbulence occurs when fluid flows over the sharp edge causing significant pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is positioned upstream of the sharp edge to deflect fluid flow before it reaches the edge. This preliminary deflection prepares the fluid flow to change direction gradually, preventing turbulence at the sharp edge while maintaining the simple mold core withdrawal process
Solution Approach 2:
The guide element acts as an intermediary between the incoming fluid flow and the sharp edge. It mediates the flow direction change, allowing the fluid to transition smoothly from the inlet direction to the outlet direction without directly interacting with the sharp edge, thus reducing turbulence and pressure drop
2Loss of energy
If a curve is formed instead of a sharp edge, then turbulence and pressure drop are reduced, but undercuts are created for mold cores which can lead to damage when cores are pulled out
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element performs the flow deflection function upstream, allowing the downstream edge to remain sharp for easy manufacturing. The preliminary action of deflecting flow at the guide element eliminates the need for a curved edge, thus avoiding undercut problems with mold cores
Solution Approach 2:
The flow deflection function is segmented into two parts: the guide element handles the primary deflection upstream, while the sharp edge simply provides structural support and outlet direction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the guide element for flow control and the edge for manufacturing ease
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 vortices and pressure drops in fluid line systems, enhancing energy efficiency by minimizing the need for additional pressure in the fluid line system.
Implementation Method 1
the guide element causes a portion of the fluid flowing through the elbow and over an edge arranged in the elbow to be deflected before this portion generates vortices
Implementation Method 2
this portion generates vortices through interaction with other portions of the fluid flow, which lead to a pressure drop in the flow
Data Source
Figure 1a~2a
Figure 2b~5
Figure 6a~7
AI summary
The invention relates to an angle piece (10) for fluidically connecting fluid lines of a vehicle, wherein the angle piece (10) has a channel portion (12) for altering a flow direction of a fluid about an alteration angle (24), wherein an input flow direction (20) of the fluid into the angle piece (10) and an outlet flow direction (22) of the fluid from the angle piece (10) form limbs of the alteration angle (24), characterized in that at least one guide element (30) is arranged in the channel portion (12), which guide element protrudes into the channel portion (12), the at least one guide element (30) altering the flow direction of a part of the fluid by the alteration angle (24). The angle piece (10) thus has a low pressure drop.