Patent Application
20210108645
Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a vehicle air flow control system. Specifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an air flow control system used with an engine including a heat exchanger.
It is well known to control air flow in a vehicle, such as a commercial class 8 tractor that pulls a trailer. Some of these air flow control systems comprise active shutters disposed at a front of the tractor. In these air flow control systems, the shutters pivot along an axis perpendicularly to a direction of air flow, i.e. vertically, between an open position, where air flow is allowed through the shutters, and a closed position, where air flow is restricted through the shutters. It is desirable to provide an improvement to air flow control systems.
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a vehicle air flow control system.
According to one embodiment, the system has a hood, a grille and a heat exchanger. The air flow control system comprises a shaft having an axis of rotation disposed behind the grille and in front of the heat exchanger. The axis of rotation is perpendicular to a direction of air flow from the grille to the heat exchanger. A blade is mounted to the shaft. A mover is operatively connected with the shaft to rotate the shaft about the axis of rotation thereby moving the blade between a first position where air is permitted to flow from the grille to the heat exchanger, and a second position air is restricted from flowing from the grille to the heat exchanger.
This disclosure relates to a vehicle air flow control system 10 shown in an engine compartment 12 of a vehicle 14. As shown in
As is described in greater detail herein, air flows through the grille 16 and encounters the air flow control system 10. The air flow control system 10 moves between a first or open position and a second or closed position. In the open position, the air flow control system 10 permits air to flow from the grille 16 to the heat exchanger 18 where heat is transferred from the heat exchanger 18 to the air. In the closed position, the air flow control system 10 restricts air flow from the grille 16 to the heat exchanger 18. Also, in the closed position, the air flow control system 10 can increase aerodynamic performance of the vehicle 14 by reducing drag.
In one embodiment, the air flow control system 10 comprises at least one blade 20. Sometimes, the blade 20 comprises an injection molded plastic. The blade 20 is mounted on a shaft 22. The shaft 22 has an axis of rotation disposed on the vehicle 14. The axis of rotation of the shaft 22 is perpendicular to a direction of air flow from the grille 16 to the heat exchanger 18. One end of the shaft 22 is operatively connected to a mover 24, such as an electric motor, a gear, a pulley, a belt and the like. The mover 24 moves or rotates the shaft 22 axially, thereby moving the blade 20 between an open position, permitting air to flow from the grille 16 to the heat exchanger 18, and a closed position, restricting air flow from the grille 16 to the heat exchanger 18. The mover 24 is connected to a controller, not shown for clarity, that determines when the motor 24 moves the shaft 22 and the associated blade 20 between the open position and the closed position. It is possible, for instance when it is not necessary to permit air to flow from the grille 16 to the heat exchanger 18, i.e. ambient temperature is reduced or cooling demand is reduced, the blade 20 is moved to the closed position, thereby restricting air flow from the grille 16 to the heat exchanger 18 and thus reducing drag of the vehicle 14. Alternatively, when ambient temperature is for when cooling demand is increased, the blade 20 is moved to the open position, thereby permitting air flow from the grille 16 to the heat exchanger 18.
In some embodiments, the motor 24 may move the shaft 22 and the associated blade 20 to a third position between the first position and the second position. The motor 24 may allow the shaft 22 and the associated blade 20 to remain in the third position.
In some embodiments, the air flow control system 10 comprises a plurality of blades 20, each blade 20 being mounted on its own shaft 22. Each shaft 22 is connected with a mover 24. The number of movers 24 may be equal to or smaller than the number of shafts 22. Sometimes, a first group of shafts 22 and associated blades 20 are connected together, such as by a first belt and the like. A second group of shafts 22 and associated blades 20 are connected together, such as by a second belt and the like. If desired, the controller moves the first group of shafts 22 independently from the second group of shafts 22. In this manner, a first group of blades 20 can be moved to a first one of the open position and the second position, and a second group of blades 20 can be moved a second one of the open position and the second position. By doing this, it is possible to control variably, flow of air from the grille 16 to the heat exchanger 18.
In other embodiments, the vehicle 14 includes a duct 26 disposed adjacent a hood of the vehicle 14, as shown in
Any of the embodiments described herein can regulate air flow to the heat exchanger 18, increase vehicle 14 fuel economy by only cooling as much as is needed and allowing maximum bypass air when cruising.
