Front End Structure Airflow Segmentation for Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger configurations in vehicles allow outside air to bypass the heat exchanger, reducing cooling performance due to inefficient air flow guidance.
Innovation Solution
A front end structure with a frame portion surrounding the heat exchanger, a duct portion guiding air through the space between the heat exchanger and the bulkhead, and a division portion that partitions the heat exchange area from the support area, ensuring outside air actively passes through the heat exchanger, while a shutter and second introduction port adjust airflow and reduce air resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a duct surrounds a bulkhead to connect heat exchanger and radiator grille, then structural support is improved, but outside air may bypass the heat exchanger reducing cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is segmented into a frame portion surrounding the bulkhead and a duct portion connecting to the heat exchanger, with a division portion creating separate flow paths. This segmentation prevents air bypass while maintaining structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The division portion acts as an intermediary element that separates the support function (frame portion) from the airflow guidance function (duct portion), ensuring that structural support does not compromise cooling performance.
2Reliability
If outside air is guided through space between duct and heat exchanger front surface, then cooling performance is improved, but air flow control becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The duct portion is designed with specific local qualities (shape, position, size) to guide air flow through the space between the duct and heat exchanger front surface, optimizing cooling performance without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Air flow is guided in the up-down direction through the space between duct and heat exchanger, utilizing vertical space to improve cooling while maintaining a relatively simple horizontal duct structure.
3Productivity
If a division portion partitions heat exchanger into heat exchange area and support area, then air flow efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into heat exchange area and support area by the division portion, improving air flow efficiency by directing air through the heat exchange area while maintaining structural support areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The division portion is integrated with the frame portion and duct portion to form a unified structure, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying manufacturing despite the functional segmentation.
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 cooling performance by ensuring outside air passes through the heat exchanger, reduces air resistance, and allows for a smaller grille opening, improving appearance and cooling efficiency, especially in electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger performs cooling or the like of a refrigerant flowing inside the heat exchanger by performing heat exchange with outside air taken into the motor compartment
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a front end structure in which cooling performance can be improved. A front end structure according to an aspect of the present invention includes a frame portion 41 that surrounds an outer circumferential part of a heat exchanger and supports the heat exchanger; a duct portion 42 that is connected to an inner circumferential edge of the frame portion 41 and guides outside air, which is taken in through a first introduction port 61, in at least an up-down direction through a space between the duct portion 42 and a front surface of the heat exchanger; and a division portion 43 that is provided in at least one of the frame portion 41 and the duct portion 42 and partitions the heat exchanger into a heat exchange area in which outside air is able to pass through in a front-rear direction and a support area which is positioned on a side circumferentially outward from the heat exchange area and is supported by the frame portion 41.