Two-Part Air Intake Module for Tight Vehicle Installation Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicles with cab-forward designs face challenges in providing an air path with good airflow parameters and effective water separation due to reduced installation space, making it difficult to install and maintain air intake modules.
Innovation Solution
A two-part air intake module with a base element and an air guide element that can be easily mounted and detached using positive and/or non-positive connections, allowing translational movement relative to each other, facilitating installation in confined spaces and enabling tool-free maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the air intake module is designed as a single integrated component, then the structural strength and sealing are improved, but the ease of installation and maintenance deteriorates due to limited access space
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake module is divided into two separate parts: a base element that remains installed in the vehicle and an air guide element that can be detached. This segmentation allows the base element to maintain structural integrity while the air guide element can be easily removed for maintenance or replaced if damaged, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and ease of installation/maintenance.
2Reliability
If the air intake module is designed as a single integrated component, then the water separation efficiency is improved, but the ease of maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the air guide element from the base element, the air guide element can be independently removed for cleaning or replacement without affecting the base element's water separation functionality. This maintains water separation efficiency while significantly improving ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide element is extracted as a separate removable component from the base element. This allows the air guide element to be taken out for maintenance purposes while the base element remains installed and continues to provide water separation, resolving the contradiction between maintaining efficiency and enabling easy maintenance.
3Volume of moving object
If the installation space is reduced due to cab-forward design, then the interior volume is increased, but the ease of installation and maintenance of air intake module deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design allows the base element to be installed in the limited space available in the cab-forward configuration, while the air guide element can be attached or removed as needed. This maintains the space-saving benefits of cab-forward design while improving installation and maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide element is extracted as a separate component that can be installed or removed independently. This allows the base element to be permanently installed in the constrained space, while the air guide element can be accessed for maintenance without requiring removal of the entire assembly, resolving the space versus accessibility contradiction.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the air guide element is permanently fixed to the base element, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability for maintenance and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the base element and air guide element is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed - allowing the air guide element to be easily attached and detached. This provides structural stability during operation while enabling adaptability for maintenance and replacement, resolving the contradiction between stability and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An air intake module for an air conditioning unit of a motor vehicle, having a base element which is configured to be connected to an end wall separating the interior from an engine compartment and/or a cross member of a windshield; an air guide element having an air intake opening, which is configured to be fastened to the base element. The base element has a base edge portion facing the air guide element, and the air guide element has a guide element edge portion facing the base element. The base edge portion and the guide edge portion are adapted such that the air guide element is detachably connectable or connected to the base element by a positive and/or non-positive connection.