Protective Grid for Vehicle Cooling Module Ducts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling modules in vehicles face blockages due to the entry of remnants like leaves, twigs, and debris through the air outlet, which deteriorates the performance of the fan system and thermal efficiency, particularly in off-road and crossover vehicle applications.
Innovation Solution
A protective grid system is mounted over the air outlet of the cooling module, featuring an array of inclined beams or honeycomb structures that restrict the entry of articles while allowing air to pass through, using engagement elements for easy mounting and retrofitting without compromising thermal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the air outlet is made large and positioned above ground for easier air egress, then air flow performance is improved, but the risk of remnants entering ducts increases
Solution Approach 1:
A protective grid is introduced as an intermediary element between the air outlet and the ducts. The grid allows air to pass through while blocking remnants, thus mediating between the need for open air flow and the need to prevent contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective grid functions as a porous structure with openings sized to permit air molecules to pass while blocking larger remnant particles. This selective permeability resolves the contradiction between maintaining air flow and preventing entry of harmful objects.
2Reliability
If a protective grid is added to prevent remnant entry, then duct blockage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective grid is segmented into a modular assembly of parallel bars or wires spaced at specific intervals. This segmentation allows the grid to be manufactured using simple processes and installed as a discrete component, minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective grid serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents remnant entry, maintains structural integrity of the air outlet, and can be designed to allow access for cleaning or maintenance. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective grid uses dense structure to block remnants, then protection effectiveness is improved, but thermal performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective grid employs local quality by varying the spacing or orientation of grid elements in different regions. Areas requiring higher protection have denser spacing, while areas prioritizing thermal flow have more open spacing, optimizing both protection and thermal performance locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The grid design utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the spacing, diameter, or orientation of grid elements to optimize the balance between blocking effectiveness and thermal performance. The spacing is carefully calculated to be smaller than remnant dimensions but large enough to permit adequate air flow for cooling.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
A protective grid system for ducts of a cooling module of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes housing and at least one protective grid. The housing includes at least one inlet connected to the ducts for receiving air that had extracted heat from a region to be cooled and at least one outlet for egress of the air there through. The at least one protective grid is mounted over at least one of the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet to prevent articles of a predetermined size from entering inside the ducts of the cooling module while still permitting egress of air there through.