Light-Guiding Radiator Grille Venting to Prevent Fogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiator grilles lack innovation in both air flow functionality and aesthetic lighting, particularly in the middle front section of vehicles, where they are most visible, and do not effectively address varying environmental conditions such as day/night and dry/wet weather.
Innovation Solution
A light-conducting radiator grille with a light guide, circuit boards, housing, frame, and outer cover, incorporating ventilation hoses and parts to maintain airflow and prevent contamination, while providing a unique visual effect through transparent or translucent elements and adjustable lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the radiator grille is sealed to protect light-guiding elements from contamination, then protection from dirt and moisture is improved, but fogging occurs due to moisture accumulation inside
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a semi-permeable membrane in the venting section that allows water vapor to escape while blocking liquid water and dirt particles. This membrane enables selective permeability - it has pores small enough to block contaminants but large enough to allow vapor transmission, thus preventing fogging while maintaining protection from contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The venting section with semi-permeable membrane acts as an intermediary between the sealed interior and the external environment. It mediates the exchange of gases and vapors while filtering out harmful particles, allowing the system to remain both protected and breathable
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the radiator grille is fully sealed to prevent contamination, then protection from dirt and moisture is improved, but air flow for cooling is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sealing system into two functional zones: a fully sealed housing that protects internal components, and a venting section with semi-permeable membrane that allows controlled air and vapor exchange. This segmentation enables simultaneous achievement of contamination protection and adequate ventilation
Solution Approach 2:
The semi-permeable membrane in the venting section provides selective permeability, allowing air molecules to pass through for cooling while blocking larger dirt particles and liquid water, thus maintaining both protection and airflow functionality
3Ease of manufacture
If the original radiator grille concept is maintained for simplicity, then manufacturing ease is improved, but lighting functionality and aesthetic innovation are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator grille is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains the original air intake and cooling functions while integrating light-guiding elements for aesthetic lighting and visibility enhancement. The housing contains both the traditional grille structure and the modern lighting system, making the single component universally functional
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the traditional radiator grille structure with modern light-guiding technology into a single integrated housing. The light guide elements are incorporated within the grille housing, combining aesthetic lighting functionality with the practical air intake function in one unified component
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 ensures effective airflow, maintains luminosity, and enhances vehicle visibility and aesthetics, while being compact and compatible with various conditions, ensuring efficient air flow and preventing fogging and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide (2), which conducts light from the spotlights (6)
Implementation Method 2
reflectors (8), which reflect light from the spotlights (6) into the light guide (2)
Implementation Method 3
a vent hose (9), which introduces air from an air supply into the light-guiding grille
Implementation Method 4
The venting section is preferably a rubber or plastic manifold (e.g., made of PP-TD40) with an air filter
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a light-guiding radiator grill which comprises a light guide (2), a circuit board (10) with a plurality of light sources (6), a housing (5), a frame, and an outer cover (1). The housing (5) is peripherally connected to the outer cover (1), and the frame and the light guide (2) are located between the housing (5) and the outer cover (1), wherein the frame is secured at least to one of the two parts consisting of the housing (5) and the outer cover (1), and the light guide (2) is attached to the frame. The outer cover (1) covers the majority of the area of the installation opening of the radiator grill and is translucent to the light from the light guide (2). The light-guiding radiator grill additionally comprises a ventilation tube (9) which has at least one opening for supplying air into the tube and at least one opening for discharging air out of the tube into the light-guiding radiator grill. The light-guiding radiator grill comprises at least one ventilation part for discharging air out of the radiator grill.