Motor Vehicle Cooling Device with Liquid Diffuser

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling devices for motor vehicles fail to adequately prevent heat transmission from hot components like exhaust manifolds and batteries to the passenger compartment, especially in the event of damage or impact, which can lead to increased heat diffusion risks.

Innovation Solution

A dual-function cooling device that integrates a rapid cooling mechanism using liquid diffusion, triggered by an external pyrotechnic control, to rapidly lower the surface temperature of hot components, thereby reducing heat transmission to the passenger compartment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a cover element is used to prevent heat propagation, then heat protection is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to impact damage that compromises the cover function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat propagationVSAvoidcover function reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates a backup cooling system with liquid diffusion channels and pyrotechnic triggers that activate automatically upon impact detection, providing emergency cooling before heat can propagate to the passenger compartment. This preemptive measure compensates for potential cover element failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the state of the cooling medium from static reservoir to dynamic flowing liquid upon impact detection. The pyrotechnic trigger initiates liquid flow through diffusion channels, transforming the cooling mechanism from passive to active in response to impact conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a separate backup cooling system is added, then heat protection reliability is improved, but device complexity and vehicle mass increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat protection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cover element structure with integrated liquid diffusion channels and pyrotechnic trigger mechanisms, creating a multi-functional component that serves both as protective cover and emergency cooling system. This integration reduces the number of separate components while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover element is designed to perform multiple functions: primary heat protection through physical barrier, secondary emergency cooling via liquid diffusion, and impact sensing through pyrotechnic triggers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate backup systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If rapid liquid diffusion is implemented for emergency cooling, then heat transmission prevention is improved, but the system requires complex triggering mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling speedVSAvoidtriggering mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pyrotechnic trigger system is designed to activate automatically upon impact detection without requiring external control systems or complex sensing electronics. The impact itself provides the activation energy, making the system self-activating and simplifying the control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex electronic sensing and control systems with a passive pyrotechnic trigger mechanism that responds directly to impact forces. This mechanical/chemical approach is simpler and more reliable than electronic alternatives for emergency activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 device effectively limits heat propagation to the passenger compartment by rapidly reducing the temperature of hot components, ensuring safety and reducing the risk of heat-related damage, while also providing a mass-saving solution by integrating both covering and cooling functions into a single vehicle part.

Implementation Method 1

The rapid diffusion of a liquid, for example water, an aqueous-based compound or any other liquid, to obtain a rapid lowering of the surface temperature of the surface of the hot part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The injection and rapid propagation of liquid allows a better efficiency of the temperature reduction in order to limit the heat transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2822815B1Rapid cooling device for a motor vehicle comprising a component fitted with a diffuser
Publication Date: 2016.09.07 RENAULT SA
  • EP2822815B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6

AI summary

Rapid cooling device for a motor vehicle comprising a motor vehicle component (1) performing a first technical function of covering for a proximal surface (2) opposite it, the vehicle component (1) comprising diffusion means (3) for performing a technical function of rapidly diffusing a liquid that has been injected toward said proximal surface (2) opposite it, with a view to reducing the surface temperature of said proximal surface (2) opposite it.