Motor Vehicle Front Part Two-Path Cooling Air Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle front parts with heat exchangers experience increased aerodynamic resistance due to braking of cooling air flow, which is not efficiently managed by current cooling air arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A two-path cooling air arrangement with motorized upper and lower air inlet openings and flap arrangements, actuated by electric motors, that control air flow to the heat exchanger, optimizing air flow direction and reducing resistance by using a streamlined lower air outlet in the undertray, and adjusting flap positions based on vehicle speed and cooling capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling air flow is directed through the heat exchanger, then cooling capacity is improved, but aerodynamic resistance increases due to flow braking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically adjustable flap arrangements at both upper and lower air inlet openings that can change their opening angles based on vehicle speed and cooling requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the balance between cooling capacity and aerodynamic resistance in real-time, resolving the contradiction by adapting the air intake configuration to current operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling air arrangement is divided into two separate paths: an upper air inlet opening with its own flap arrangement and a lower air inlet opening with its own flap arrangement. This segmentation allows independent control of each air path, enabling the system to selectively open or adjust specific paths based on whether cooling priority or aerodynamic efficiency is the current priority
2Productivity
If upper and lower air inlet openings are both open, then cooling capacity increases, but air resistance and energy loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized flap arrangements automatically adjust the opening degree of upper and lower air inlet openings based on real-time vehicle speed and cooling demand. At high speeds, the system reduces opening angles to minimize energy loss from air resistance, while at low speeds or high cooling demands, it increases opening angles to maximize cooling capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters (opening angles) of the flap arrangements based on vehicle speed thresholds and cooling requirements. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize the trade-off between cooling capacity and energy loss dynamically, rather than maintaining fixed opening positions
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 significantly reduces aerodynamic resistance across various vehicle speeds by optimizing air flow and flap positions, ensuring efficient cooling while minimizing air resistance, thereby enhancing vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
a motorized fan, which is assigned to the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger; a motorized fan, which is assigned to the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle front part includes: a heat exchanger; a motorized fan, which is assigned to the heat exchanger; and a two-path cooling air arrangement for controlling the air feed to the heat exchanger. The cooling air arrangement includes: an upper air inlet opening, which opens substantially toward the front; an upper flap arrangement, which corresponds to the upper air inlet opening and is actuated by motor; a lower air inlet opening, which opens substantially toward the bottom; and a lower flap arrangement, which corresponds to the lower air inlet opening and is actuated by motor. The upper air inlet opening and the lower air inlet opening are arranged upstream of the heat exchanger. A lower air outlet is downstream of the heat exchanger in an undertray of the vehicle.