Vehicle front structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell vehicles, the water heater located in the front compartment experiences excessive heat dissipation due to low-temperature blowing wind, leading to reduced heating performance and increased power consumption, especially at high vehicle speeds in winter.
Innovation Solution
The water heater is positioned behind the rear wall of a partitioned front trunk, creating a low air velocity area that shields it from the blowing wind, and is securely supported by a transaxle or suspension tower, allowing for efficient heat retention and flexible layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the water heater is located in the front compartment, then it can be positioned in the engine compartment space, but the blowing wind causes excessive heat dissipation and reduced heating performance
Solution Approach 1:
The front compartment is divided into two separate spaces by a partition wall: a front trunk space and a water heater space. This segmentation allows the water heater to be positioned in the front compartment while being protected from blowing wind by the partition wall, thus resolving the contradiction between space utilization and heat dissipation protection.
2Ease of manufacture
If the water heater is located in the front compartment, then it can utilize the engine compartment space, but the blowing wind increases power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The front compartment is divided into two separate spaces by a partition wall: a front trunk space and a water heater space. This segmentation allows the water heater to be positioned in the front compartment while being protected from blowing wind by the partition wall, thus resolving the contradiction between space utilization and power consumption reduction.
3Ease of manufacture
If the water heater is located in the front compartment, then it can be positioned in the engine compartment space, but the blowing wind reduces heating performance
Solution Approach 1:
The front compartment is divided into two separate spaces by a partition wall: a front trunk space and a water heater space. This segmentation allows the water heater to be positioned in the front compartment while being protected from blowing wind by the partition wall, thus resolving the contradiction between space utilization and heating performance maintenance.
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 effectively suppresses heat dissipation from the water heater, maintaining heating performance and reducing power consumption during high-speed winter driving by minimizing wind impact and optimizing space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
cooling water heated by waste heat from the fuel cell stack is supplied to a heater core
Implementation Method 2
the front compartment is provided with a front trunk that is partitioned from other spaces by a wall, and the water heater is located behind a rear wall portion of the front trunk
Data Source
AI summary
A front structure of a fuel cell vehicle is provided, which can suppress blowing wind from hitting a water heater located in a front compartment. A fuel cell vehicle is equipped with a water heater that heats water to warm air for air-conditioning in a front compartment that is separated from a vehicle cabin by a dash panel. A front trunk is provided within the front compartment. The front trunk is divided from other spaces by wall portions. The water heater is located behind the rear wall portion of the front trunk.