Radiator Wind Shielding Screen for Vehicle Ice Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cold weather, thick ice forms between radiator fins and bug screens, blocking airflow to vehicle cooling packages, leading to decreased performance, increased maintenance costs, and safety hazards during winter storms.
Innovation Solution
A wind shielding system comprising a wind shielding screen, an electronic control unit (ECU), a temperature sensor, and an actuator, which moves the screen between closed and open configurations based on detected air temperature to prevent ice formation on the radiator cooling package.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wind shielding screen is kept closed to prevent ice formation, then ice formation on the radiator cooling package is prevented, but cooling performance deteriorates due to blocked airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The wind shielding screen is designed to be dynamically adjustable between open and closed positions based on environmental conditions. The actuator system enables the screen to transition from a static barrier to a dynamic control element that adapts to changing temperature and airflow conditions, resolving the contradiction between ice prevention and cooling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the wind shielding screen based on temperature sensor feedback. When temperatures drop below freezing thresholds, the screen transitions to a closed position to prevent ice formation. When temperatures rise above freezing thresholds, the screen transitions to an open position to restore cooling airflow, thus adapting to parameter changes in environmental temperature
2Productivity
If the wind shielding screen is kept open to maintain cooling performance, then airflow to the radiator cooling package is maintained, but ice formation occurs on the radiator fins and bug screen
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor provides continuous feedback to the control unit about ambient temperature conditions. The control unit processes this feedback and automatically adjusts the wind shielding screen position accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents ice formation while maintaining cooling performance when conditions permit
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing temperature sensing capabilities and electrical systems to automatically control the wind shielding screen without requiring driver intervention. The actuator system self-regulates the screen position based on temperature conditions, making the system autonomous and eliminating the need for manual operation
3Object-generated harmful factors
If manual ice removal is performed by driver exiting the vehicle, then ice is removed from the cooling package, but driver safety is compromised during winter storms
Solution Approach 1:
The wind shielding screen performs preliminary action by preventing ice formation in the first place through proactive closure before freezing conditions affect the radiator. This preventive approach eliminates the need for subsequent ice removal operations that would require driver exposure to dangerous winter conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The wind shielding screen acts as an intermediary barrier between the cold ambient air and the radiator cooling package. By positioning itself in the airflow path, it mediates the interaction between cold air and sensitive components, preventing direct contact that would cause ice formation without requiring driver intervention
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 system effectively prevents ice formation on the radiator cooling package, maintaining cooling performance, extending component life, reducing maintenance costs, and enhancing safety by avoiding the need for drivers to exit the vehicle during winter storms.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature sensor may be configured to detect an air temperature of an ambient air surrounding the radiator cooling package
Implementation Method 2
the wind shielding screen in the closed configuration may be configured to at least partially impede the airflow from flowing to the radiator cooling package by at least covering the radiator cooling package
Implementation Method 3
the actuator may be operatively coupled with the wind shielding screen and may be controllable by the ECU to move the wind shielding screen between a closed configuration and an open configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Wind shielding system and method for a radiator cooling package of a vehicle are disclosed. The wind shielding system has a wind shielding screen, a temperature sensor for detecting an air temperature of an ambient air surrounding the radiator cooling package and an actuator for moving the wind shielding screen to a closed configuration with respect to the radiator cooling package by an electronic control unit based on the detected air temperature. The wind shielding screen in the closed configuration impedes formation of ice on the radiator cooling package from an airflow at the detected air temperature by covering the radiator cooling package. A vehicle having the wind shielding system to perform the wind shielding method is also provided. A computer program product that when executed by the wind shielding system causes the wind shielding system to perform the wind shielding method is also provided.