Water Tank Intake Layout for Vehicle Fresh Air and Water Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicles with a cab-forward design face challenges in providing reliable water separation and sufficient airflow parameters due to the increased interior volume and flat front hood, leading to excessive water intake through the intake opening in the water tank cover.
Innovation Solution
The intake opening is positioned centrally on both sides of the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle, combined with a baffle along the windshield, and a water collection basin with a base surface that is inclined in the longitudinal and width directions, featuring a drain at the lowest point to prevent water entry and facilitate drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the intake opening is positioned in the water tank cover, then fresh air can be supplied to the air conditioning unit, but large quantities of water enter the intake space
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank cover is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first region with a baffle for water drainage, a second region with an intake opening for fresh air, and a third region with a water collection basin. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of fresh air supply and water prevention by creating distinct functional areas that work together.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle acts as an intermediary element between the windshield and the intake opening, intercepting water and directing it to the drainage side before it can reach the fresh air intake. This mediator prevents the harmful interaction between water and the intake opening while maintaining the fresh air supply function.
2Volume of moving object
If the vehicle uses a cab-forward design with increased interior volume and flat front hood, then interior space is improved, but water separation reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves from a single-dimensional approach to a multi-dimensional water management system by incorporating vertical (baffle height), lateral (drainage to sides), and bottom (collection basin) dimensions. This three-dimensional water separation approach maintains reliability despite the compact cab-forward design constraints.
3Volume of stationary object
If the water tank has a compact design, then space is saved, but flow cross-section for fresh air intake is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank cover employs local quality differentiation by creating a raised second region specifically for the intake opening, while the first and third regions handle water management. This localized elevation maintains an adequate flow cross-section for fresh air within the compact overall tank volume by optimizing the spatial distribution of functional areas.
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 prevents large quantities of water from entering the intake space, ensuring reliable water separation and maintaining a large flow cross-section for fresh air intake, even in compact vehicle designs.
Implementation Method 1
a water collection basin with a base surface is formed in the base element... the base surface of the water collection basin can be inclined in the longitudinal direction and in the width direction of the motor vehicle
Implementation Method 2
the base surface of the water collection basin can be inclined in the longitudinal direction and in the width direction of the motor vehicle... A drain can be arranged at a lowest point
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine and/or electric drive is described, wherein the motor vehicle has a windshield; a water tank which is arranged in front of the windshield and is designed to collect and drain water which accumulates in a transition region of the windshield and a front hood. The water tank includes a base element and a cover element which form an intake space for fresh air; a fresh air inlet of an air conditioning unit which is in fluid communication with the intake space. An intake opening for fresh air is formed in the cover element. The intake opening is formed on both sides of a longitudinal center axis of the motor vehicle relative to a width direction of the motor vehicle.