Telescopic Air Guide Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air guide systems for vehicle engines are prone to breaking during RCAR impacts, leading to costly repairs, especially when there is insufficient clearance space at the rear of the functional front face, as they rely on rigid components that transmit forces and cause the radiator to retract.
Innovation Solution
An air guide with a main casing comprising an upper and lower casing, featuring a longitudinal indexing and anchoring pin for axial and transverse abutment to the vehicle chassis, and a telescopic crushing structure in the lower casing to absorb impact energy, allowing controlled compression and fixation during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid air guide components are used, then structural strength is improved, but impact energy transmission to the radiator increases causing retraction and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the air guide by introducing a telescopic crushing structure with variable stiffness. The structure transitions from a rigid state during normal operation to a compliant state during impact, allowing controlled deformation that absorbs impact energy while maintaining structural integrity. This resolves the contradiction by making the structure adaptable rather than purely rigid.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic crushing structure acts as a pre-designed energy absorption mechanism that engages before the impact force reaches the radiator. The controlled deformation of the telescopic sections absorbs impact energy in advance, preventing force transmission to the radiator and avoiding retraction damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If clearance space is provided at the rear of the functional front face, then radiator retraction is prevented during impact, but engine compartment space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy absorption function from the clearance space concept and integrates it directly into the air guide structure through the telescopic crushing mechanism. This eliminates the need for additional clearance space while maintaining radiator protection, as the air guide itself becomes the shock-absorbing element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the air guide's structural support function with its impact energy absorption function. The telescopic crushing structure combines both roles, allowing the air guide to serve as both a functional component for air distribution and as a protective shock-absorbing element, eliminating the need for separate clearance space.
3Loss of energy
If fixing rods are made breakable to allow radiator retraction, then impact energy is absorbed, but repair costs increase due to component replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle to the telescopic crushing structure, which is designed to deform permanently during impact to absorb energy. While the structure deforms, it remains integrated with the air guide, allowing the entire assembly to be replaced as a single unit rather than requiring replacement of multiple separate components like fixing rods and radiators.
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 air guide effectively absorbs impact energy, preventing axial and lateral displacement, thus minimizing damage and enabling repair without retraction of the radiator, even in scenarios with limited rear space, while being compatible with various driving configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a local structure for controlled preferred compression of the walls of the lower casing, at least in a lower portion of the lateral region of the lower casing
Implementation Method 2
means for fixing to the vertical radiator, the lower casing comprising at least one substantially horizontal lower wall and two substantially vertical lateral walls, characterized in that the lower casing comprises means for axial and transverse abutment of the rear portion of the lower casing of the air guide relative to the chassis of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An air guide collects air from a grille located at the front of a vehicle engine compartment to a vertical radiator located in the engine compartment and which is fixed to a vehicle chassis. The air guide includes a main casing including an upper casing and a lower casing. The upper and lower casings include an opening toward the front to receive the air. The lower casing includes at least one substantially horizontal lower wall and two substantially vertical lateral walls. The lower casing axially and transversely abut the rear portion of the lower casing of the air guide relative to the chassis of the vehicle, at least in a lateral region of the lower casing, and a local structure for controlled preferred compression of the walls of the lower casing, at least in a lower portion of the lateral region of the lower casing.