Utility Vehicle Cooling Assembly for Charged Air and Engine Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles equipped with forced-air inducers, such as superchargers or turbochargers, face challenges in managing the increased temperature of compressed air, which can lead to inefficiencies and performance issues without effective cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A utility vehicle design incorporating a cooling assembly with a first cooling circuit to alter the engine temperature and a second cooling circuit to cool intake air, utilizing heat exchangers positioned strategically along the frame to optimize air and engine temperature management, along with a powertrain assembly featuring a continuously variable transmission and a shiftable transmission for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a forced-air inducer (supercharger or turbocharger) is used to compress pre-combustion air, then the power output of the powertrain assembly is increased, but the temperature of the compressed air increases
Solution Approach 1:
An intercooler is introduced as an intermediary component between the forced-air inducer and the engine. The intercooler serves as a heat exchanger that removes excess heat from the compressed air, cooling it before it enters the engine. This mediator component resolves the temperature increase caused by compression while preserving the power output benefits of the forced-air inducer.
2Temperature
If an intercooler is added to cool the charged air, then the temperature of the intake air is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it cools the charged air from the forced-air inducer, it can cool the engine, and it manages thermal conditions for the powertrain components. By making the cooling system multi-functional, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate cooling systems for each component.
3Productivity
If a cooling assembly with multiple cooling circuits is implemented, then the powertrain efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling assembly is divided into multiple independent cooling circuits, each serving specific components. The first cooling circuit cools the engine, while the second cooling circuit cools the charged air. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized for its specific function and enables independent control, improving overall powertrain efficiency while managing complexity through modular design.
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 cooling assembly effectively manages air and engine temperatures, improving powertrain efficiency and performance by maintaining optimal operating conditions, while the powertrain assembly enhances power output and operational stability across varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling circuit configured to alter a temperature of the engine
Implementation Method 2
a second cooling circuit configured to alter a temperature of intake air received within the engine
Data Source
AI summary
A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame supported by the ground-engaging members, and a powertrain assembly. The powertrain assembly includes an engine, a shiftable transmission, a continuously variable transmission, and a charger. Additionally, the utility vehicle may include a cooling assembly fluidly coupled to at least the engine and the charger.