Semi-Circular Cooling Module for Vehicle Radiator and Condenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cooling module assemblies in vehicles face inefficiencies due to the geometry and positioning of radiators and condensers, leading to reduced cooling capacity and increased engine temperature, as certain regions are not effectively cooled by the fan and the positioning of the condenser in front of the radiator warms air before it reaches the radiator.
Innovation Solution
A semi-circular cooling module assembly is configured with the radiator and condenser sharing a common plane, where the condenser is circumferentially surrounding the radiator, allowing for increased cooling from ram-air and reducing the space occupied in the vehicle's front end, with radially oriented cooling fins and a bladeless fan enhancing air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the radiator size is increased to augment surface area for heat exchange, then cooling capacity is improved, but the space occupied in the vehicle front end increases, compounding packaging difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the radiator and condenser into a integrated cooling module assembly where both heat exchangers operate side-by-side in horizontal parallel. This consolidation allows both components to share the same airflow path and mounting space, achieving enhanced cooling capacity without proportionally increasing the overall footprint in the vehicle front end.
2Ease of manufacture
If rectangular radiators and condensers are stacked vertically, then packaging is simplified, but certain regions such as corners are not within the sweep of the cooling fan, resulting in reduced heat exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional rectangular heat exchanger geometries with circular cross-section tubes arranged in a radial pattern. This curved configuration eliminates dead zones and corners that are inaccessible to cooling fan airflow, ensuring uniform heat exchange efficiency across the entire surface area while maintaining compact packaging through the radial arrangement of coolant passages.
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 configuration enhances cooling efficiency by ensuring all regions of the cooling module are effectively cooled, reducing the engine temperature and occupying less space in the vehicle's front end, thereby improving fuel economy and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
Both the radiator and the condenser may rely on liquid-to-air heat exchange to cool the engine block and an interior of the vehicle, respectively
Implementation Method 2
Transfer of heat from the refrigerant and the coolant to air may be enhanced by using a cooling fan to increase air flow across surfaces of the radiator and the condenser
Implementation Method 3
the cooling channel forms radially aligned fins, the radially aligned fins of the radiator and the condenser forming a semi-circular structure... allowing for increased cooling from ram-air
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for a cooling module assembly for a vehicle. In one example, the cooling module assembly includes a first set of fins configured to flow a first fluid through a first sinusoidal, continuous inner passage, and a second set of fins configured to flow a second fluid through a second sinusoidal, continuous inner passage. The second set of fins shares a common plane with the first set of fins and together forms a semi-circular structure.