Platooning Vehicle Cooling Air Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Platooned vehicles, particularly trailing vehicles, face efficiency losses due to the need for air flow control apparatuses like cooling system fans to compensate for reduced ram air, which increases engine temperature and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The system optimizes vehicle spacing and air flow management by using a control unit (ECU) to determine when to activate the fan and adjust vehicle positions to minimize aerodynamic drag, ensuring sufficient air flow through the radiator without relying solely on the fan, thereby maintaining engine temperature and reducing fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If trailing vehicles operate cooling system fans to compensate for loss of ram air, then engine temperature is maintained, but fuel consumption and power demand increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts vehicle spacing in the platoon to optimize ram air flow to the radiator. By making the spacing variable rather than fixed, the system can adapt to different driving conditions and maintain adequate cooling without continuous fan operation, thereby reducing fuel consumption while preserving engine temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of vehicle spacing distance to control the amount of ram air reaching the radiator. By adjusting this parameter, the trailing vehicle can capture sufficient cooling air flow without relying on the fan, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining engine temperature and reducing energy use.
2Temperature
If trailing vehicles operate cooling system fans to compensate for loss of ram air, then engine temperature is maintained, but overall platooning efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic spacing adjustment within the platoon configuration, allowing vehicles to optimize their positions for both aerodynamic efficiency and adequate radiator cooling. This dynamic approach maintains platooning efficiency by minimizing drag while ensuring engine temperature control through optimized natural air flow.
3Temperature
If vehicle spacing is reduced to maintain ram air flow, then cooling efficiency improves, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by providing just enough ram air flow to the radiator through optimized spacing, rather than maintaining excessively close vehicle distances. This partial approach achieves adequate cooling efficiency while avoiding the penalty of excessive aerodynamic drag that would result from overly tight platoon spacing.
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 approach enhances fuel economy and reduces engine power demand by optimizing air flow and vehicle spacing, maintaining stable engine temperatures while minimizing the need for fan operation, thus improving overall platooning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid-to-air heat exchanger, commonly called a radiator 24
Implementation Method 2
An exemplary fan 28 may be activated to increase air flow through the radiator 24
Implementation Method 3
loss of ram air
Data Source
AI summary
A first moving vehicle is maintained in a first position relative to a second moving vehicle. The first and second vehicles comprise a platoon. An engine compartment air-flow control apparatus is activated in the first vehicle, responsive to an indicator of engine temperature. The first vehicle is moved to a second position relative to the moving second vehicle or the temperature control apparatus is activated, responsive to the indicator of engine temperature.