Extruded Aluminum Front Side Member with Integrated Coolant Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine compartment layouts face challenges in accommodating high-performance vehicle components due to space constraints, leading to interference issues between parts like the air conditioner coolant pipe and the power train, which limits engine mounting bracket size and potentially compromises engine support.
Innovation Solution
A front side member manufactured from aluminum using the extrusion method, featuring a closed cross-sectional design with multiple non-communicating flow paths created by longitudinal and transverse ribs, eliminates the need for a conventional coolant pipe by integrating coolant flow paths within the member, allowing for reduced part count and improved layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional coolant pipe is installed in the engine compartment, then coolant flow is achieved, but it causes interference with the power train and limits engine mounting bracket size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coolant pipe function with the front side member by integrating coolant flow paths directly into the front side member's structure. The front side member now serves dual purposes: structural support and coolant transport, eliminating the need for a separate conventional coolant pipe and resolving the spatial interference issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The front side member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the engine mounting bracket and serves as a coolant conduit. This multi-functionality allows the engine mounting bracket to be sized appropriately for support requirements without being constrained by coolant pipe routing.
2Volume of moving object
If the engine compartment size is limited, then vehicle dimensions are constrained, but it becomes difficult to install high-performance components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by creating multiple stacked coolant flow paths (first, second, and third flow paths at different heights) within the front side member. This three-dimensional arrangement allows coolant flow functionality to be integrated without occupying additional horizontal space, enabling high-performance components to be accommodated within the limited engine compartment volume.
3Temperature
If multiple coolant pipes are installed for high-performance cooling, then cooling capacity increases, but space for engine mounting bracket is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests multiple coolant flow paths within the walls of the front side member, with flow paths arranged at different heights and positions. The first, second, and third flow paths are integrated into the member's structure like nested elements, providing high cooling capacity while maintaining space for the engine mounting bracket.
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
This solution reduces vehicle weight and fuel consumption, enables more efficient use of space within the engine compartment, and enhances the layout to accommodate high-performance components without interference, thereby improving engine support and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a front side member of an aluminum material to be utilized as a coolant passageway
Data Source
AI summary
A front side member of a vehicle includes: a front side member body disposed at right and left sides along a width direction of the vehicle while being formed to extend along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and having a closed cross-sectional formed inside, wherein the closed cross-sectional is divided by at least one rib, and wherein two or more flow paths that are not fluidically-communicate with each other are formed, reducing a weight and a part number of the vehicle and improving a layout of the engine compartment.