Vehicle Front End Module Splash Shield for Radiator Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Front end module heat exchangers in vehicles face inefficiencies due to exposure to harsh environments and damage from road splashes, leading to wear and discoloration of radiator tanks, which can cause noise, vibration, and harshness issues.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle front end module design incorporating a radiator unit, a heat exchanger unit, and a splash shield assembly, where the splash shield is positioned between the radiator and transmission cooler units to protect the radiator from road splashes, using a substrate made of molded plastic with stoppers to prevent liquid contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heat exchangers are exposed to harsh environments for efficient heat dissipation, then cooling performance is improved, but wear and discoloration of radiator tanks occur due to road splashes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidradiator durability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A splash shield assembly is introduced as an intermediary component positioned between the road environment and the radiator unit. The shield includes a substrate with stoppers that extend to contact the radiator, creating a protective barrier that blocks road splashes while allowing the radiator to remain exposed to air flow for heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The splash shield assembly uses a substrate made of molded plastic, which is a cost-effective material that can be easily replaced if damaged. This allows the use of a less durable material for the shield itself while protecting the more expensive and critical radiator component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If splash shield assembly is added to protect radiator from road splashes, then radiator durability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiator durabilityVSAvoidfront end module complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The splash shield assembly integrates multiple functions into a single component structure. The substrate and stoppers are combined into one assembly that can be installed as a unit, reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying the overall system architecture despite adding protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate is made of molded plastic, which provides a lightweight and relatively simple structure compared to metal alternatives. This flexible material choice reduces the complexity and weight of the protective component while maintaining its barrier function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11760191B2Vehicle front end module

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 NISSAN NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A vehicle front end module includes a radiator unit, a heat exchanger unit and a splash shield assembly. The heat exchanger unit is disposed in a vehicle forward direction of the radiator unit. The splash shield assembly is disposed in the vehicle forward direction of the radiator unit so that the splash shield is located between the heat exchanger and radiator unit.