Front Lateral Structure With Integrated Drainage for Grounding Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In some modern vehicles, the absence of a cowl collector between the cowl grille and suspension support parts allows fluid runoff from the windshield to reach the grounding points, leading to oxidation and potential electrical issues.
Innovation Solution
A front lateral structural part with a suspension support piece featuring a groove and channel design that directs fluid away from the wheel arch grounding points, preventing oxidation and electrical problems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If no cowl collector is installed between the cowl grille and suspension support parts, then the device complexity is reduced, but the grounding points are exposed to fluid runoff causing oxidation and electrical problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cowl collector function directly into the suspension support part by integrating a groove and channel system into the first front transverse part. This eliminates the need for a separate cowl collector component while maintaining the protective function against fluid runoff.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension support part is given multiple functions: it provides structural support for the suspension system and simultaneously acts as a fluid collection and evacuation system through its integrated groove and channel features, preventing fluid from reaching grounding points.
2Reliability
If a cowl collector is installed between the cowl grille and suspension support parts, then the grounding points are protected from fluid runoff, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cowl collector function directly into the suspension support part by integrating a groove and channel system into the first front transverse part. This eliminates the need for a separate cowl collector component while maintaining the protective function against fluid runoff.
3Ease of manufacture
If the second front transverse part is positioned low, then the manufacturing is simpler, but fluid can reach the grounding points causing oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The groove and channel system acts as an intermediary structure between the first and second front transverse parts. It intercepts fluid runoff and directs it away from the grounding points before the fluid can reach the vulnerable areas, preventing oxidation without requiring the second transverse part to be positioned higher.
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 groove and channel system effectively drains fluid away from critical vehicle components, preventing oxidation and electrical hazards.
Implementation Method 1
the groove extends downwards and communicates with the channel in order to allow an evacuation of liquid from the upper part
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A front lateral structural part (PSL) is part of a motor vehicle and includes a suspension support piece (PSS) having an upper part (PS) extending downwards into a first front transverse part (PT1) and a first internal longitudinal part (PLI1), in front of which are positioned a second front transverse part (PT2) and a second internal longitudinal part (PLI2) of a wheel arch (PR). The second front transverse part (PT2) includes an upper edge (BS) extending upwards above an upper end (ES) of the first front transverse part (PT1), to define with the latter a channel (CL) allowing the flow of fluid from the upper part (PS).The first front transverse part (PT1) includes at least one groove (RE) extending downwards and communicating with the channel (CL) to allow the evacuation of fluid from the upper part (PS) and/or flowing into the channel (CL).