Vehicle Front End Assembly With Integrated Airflow Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle front end assemblies struggle to efficiently channel air to heat exchangers like radiators and condensers, leading to reduced cooling efficiency due to air bypassing these components.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front end assembly with a grille, upper grille panel, and bell crank assembly, featuring an airflow barrier integrated with a bell crank housing to deflect air flow and channel it effectively to the heat exchangers, while the bell crank is movable and supported by a mounting bracket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If airflow barriers are added to channel air to the radiator, then radiator cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow barrier is integrated with the bell crank housing to form a unified structure. The housing simultaneously serves as structural support for the bell crank mechanism and as an airflow deflection barrier, eliminating the need for separate airflow barrier components and reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining effective air channeling to the radiator.
2Ease of operation
If the bell crank is exposed for access, then ease of operation is improved, but susceptibility to dust and dirt increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bell crank housing provides selective protection: the housing structure encloses the bell crank mechanism to protect it from dust and dirt, while the housing includes an opening that allows access to the bell crank lever for operation. This creates different protective qualities in different locations - full enclosure for the mechanism portion and partial exposure for the operational lever portion.
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
Enhances airflow to heat exchangers, improving cooling efficiency and protecting the bell crank mechanism from dust and dirt, thereby maintaining optimal operating temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The airflow barrier has a front wall that is positioned forward of the bell crank to deflect air flow received through the grille
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle front end assembly includes a grille, a front end module, an upper grille panel and a bell crank assembly. The front end module has a radiator positioned rearwardly with respect to the grille. The upper grille panel extends rearwardly with respect to the grille and overlies the front end module. The upper grille panel has a bell crank access area. The bell crank assembly is positioned in the bell crank access area of the upper grille panel. The bell crank assembly has a bell crank that is movable with respect to the upper grille panel. The bell crank assembly further has an airflow barrier that is fixedly supported with respect to the bell crank assembly. The airflow barrier has a front wall that is positioned forward of the bell crank to deflect air flow received through the grille.