SE1650510A1 - An air intake assembly, a cooling system and a motor vehicle - Google Patents

An air intake assembly, a cooling system and a motor vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
SE1650510A1
SE1650510A1 SE1650510A SE1650510A SE1650510A1 SE 1650510 A1 SE1650510 A1 SE 1650510A1 SE 1650510 A SE1650510 A SE 1650510A SE 1650510 A SE1650510 A SE 1650510A SE 1650510 A1 SE1650510 A1 SE 1650510A1
Authority
SE
Sweden
Prior art keywords
air
motor vehicle
intake assembly
air intake
facing region
Prior art date
Application number
SE1650510A
Other languages
Swedish (sv)
Other versions
SE541592C2 (en
Inventor
Hall Ola
Kylefors Björn
Original Assignee
Scania Cv Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Scania Cv Ab filed Critical Scania Cv Ab
Priority to SE1650510A priority Critical patent/SE541592C2/en
Priority to DE102017002999.7A priority patent/DE102017002999B4/en
Publication of SE1650510A1 publication Critical patent/SE1650510A1/en
Publication of SE541592C2 publication Critical patent/SE541592C2/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K11/00—Arrangement in connection with cooling of propulsion units
    • B60K11/08—Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K11/00—Arrangement in connection with cooling of propulsion units
    • B60K11/08—Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor
    • B60K11/085—Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor with adjustable shutters or blinds
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01P11/00—Component parts, details, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01P1/00 - F01P9/00
    • F01P11/10—Guiding or ducting cooling-air, to, or from, liquid-to-air heat exchangers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K11/00—Arrangement in connection with cooling of propulsion units
    • B60K11/02—Arrangement in connection with cooling of propulsion units with liquid cooling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K11/00—Arrangement in connection with cooling of propulsion units
    • B60K11/02—Arrangement in connection with cooling of propulsion units with liquid cooling
    • B60K11/04—Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K13/00—Arrangement in connection with combustion air intake or gas exhaust of propulsion units
    • B60K13/02—Arrangement in connection with combustion air intake or gas exhaust of propulsion units concerning intake
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K1/00—Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units
    • B60K2001/003—Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units with means for cooling the electrical propulsion units
    • B60K2001/005—Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units with means for cooling the electrical propulsion units the electric storage means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K1/00—Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units
    • B60K2001/003—Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units with means for cooling the electrical propulsion units
    • B60K2001/006—Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units with means for cooling the electrical propulsion units the electric motors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
    • B60Y2200/00—Type of vehicle
    • B60Y2200/10—Road Vehicles
    • B60Y2200/14—Trucks; Load vehicles, Busses
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01P1/00—Air cooling
    • F01P1/06—Arrangements for cooling other engine or machine parts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/62—Heating or cooling; Temperature control specially adapted for specific applications
    • H01M10/625—Vehicles
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)

Abstract

An air intake assembly (2) for providing air to a cooling system of an electric power unit of a motor vehicle, the air intake assembly having an air inlet (6) provided in an external vehicle surface (15) parallel to or essentially parallel to a direction of travel (D) of the motor vehicle, and an air outlet (5) for passage of air into the cooling system, wherein said air inlet comprises at least one air permeable side facing region (7), facing in a sideward direction of the motor vehicle, and wherein said air inlet further comprises at least one air permeable forward facing region (8), facing forward in the direction of travel (D) of the motor vehicle.(Fig. 1)

Description

An air intake assembly, a coolinq svstem and a motor vehicle TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an air intake assembly accordingto the preamble of claim 1, to a cooling system of an electric unitof a motor vehicle comprising such an air intake assembly, and toa motor vehicle. ln particular, but not exclusively, the inventionrelates to an air intake assembly for use in a cooling system in aheavy vehicle in the form of a hybrid vehicle or an electrically powered vehicle.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART Heavy vehicles, such as buses and trucks, may comprise electricpower units, either for entirely or partly powering the vehicle, orfor providing energy to auxiliary units within the vehicle. ln bothcases, a cooling system is needed to cool the electric power units.ln particular, in hybrid vehicles or electrically powered vehiclespowered at least partly by electric power units, the electric powerunits are powerful and therefore also require powerful coolingsystems to function efficiently. ln hybrid or electrically poweredbuses, it is common to position batteries and an associated coolingsystem on the roof of the bus, while as in trucks, the batteries andthe cooling system are usually mounted on a frame of the vehiclealong the vehicle's side, such as on the inside of a side skirt. Anair intake assembly of the cooling system is in that case arrangedwith an air inlet in the form of an air permeable surface provided in the side skirt, usually in the form of an opening covered by e.g. a mesh or a perforated surface. The air intake assembly furtherhas an air outlet for passage of air having entered via the air inletinto the cooling system, and a fan is positioned downstream of thisair outlet, so that air can be sucked into the cooling system bymeans of the fan. A fan-driven flow of air is created from the airinlet, via the air outlet and toward the fan. A radiator or the like ispositioned between the air outlet and the fan, so that coo|ant liquid can be cooled by the incoming air.
However, continuous efforts are being made to reduce the energyconsumption of motor vehicles and it is therefore desirable to develop more efficient air intake assemblies and cooling systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION lt is a primary objective of the present invention to provide asolution by means of which air intake assemblies and coolingsystems of electric power units in heavy motor vehicle can be, inat least some aspect, improved. ln particular, it is an objective toprovide a solution for increasing the efficiency of such air intake assemblies and cooling systems.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, at least theprimary objective is achieved by means of an air intake assemblyas initially defined, which is characterised in that said air inletfurther comprises at least one air permeable forward facing regionfacing forward in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. Theforward facing region comprises a plurality of openingsdimensioned such that, as a result of headwind, air can flow in through the forward facing region when the vehicle travels forward. ln this way, when the vehicle is travelling forward, cooling air canenter the air inlet both via the forward facing region and via the airpermeable side facing region, via which air is sucked in by meansof one or more fans positioned downstream of the air outlet. Thecontribution from the headwind can thus release the burden on thefan or fans. Thereby, the rotation speed and thereby the energyconsumption of the fan can be reduced without affecting thetemperature at which the electric power unit is operated, andthereby without affecting the efficiency of the electric power unit.ln particular, the headwind contribution is important when themotor vehicle is travelling forward at a high speed and experiencesa strong headwind, since this usually coincides with a high demandon the cooling system.
Thanks to the air inlet still comprising the at least one side facingregion, there is no significant pressure drop in the air intakeassembly for a fan-driven flow of air when the motor vehicle isstanding still or travelling at a low speed. ln the absence of theside facing region, it would be difficult to provide a sufficientamount of cooling air to the cooling system under such conditions.Thus, both the side facing region and the forward facing region areimportant in order to provide an optimum flow of air to the cooling system both at high speeds and at low speeds.
The at least one forward facing region can be e.g. an air permeablesurface facing forward or essentially forward in the direction oftravel, meaning that it can be somewhat inclined, or that it may bea curved surface. What is important is that the forward facingregion is directed such that it can catch the headwind of the motor vehicle as it is travelling forward.
The at least one side facing region can be e.g. an air permeablesurface facing in a sideward direction of the motor vehicle. Thismay not necessarily be in a direction directly perpendicular to thedirection of travel, but the surface can be a slanted surface or acurved surface. The side facing region should be configured sothat air can be efficiently sucked in via this region by means of a fan.
The external vehicle surface in which the air inlet is provided maybe e.g. a side skirt of the vehicle or another surface that is parallelto the direction of travel. The air inlet may be at least partlyprotruding from the external vehicle surface, or it may be recessed or partly recessed with respect to this surface.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the air intakeassembly comprises a plurality of interposed forward facing andside facing regions. This enables an efficient air intake driven bothby the headwind and one or more fan/fans. Preferably, the forwardfacing regions are all arranged in parallel, and the side facing regions are arranged between those regions.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a first of said sidefacing regions is positioned between a first and a second of saidforward facing regions, wherein the first side facing region extendsfrom an outer edge of the first forward facing region to an inneredge of the second forward facing region. ln other words, the firstside facing region connects the first and the second forward facing regions, etc.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least oneforward facing region is an air permeable surface extendingperpendicular to or essentially perpendicular to the direction oftravel. Thus, the forward facing region is in this embodimentdirectly facing the headwind of the motor vehicle. This enablesefficient air uptake via both the forward facing and the side facing regions.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least oneforward facing region protrudes from said external vehicle surface.An outer edge of the forward facing region, or a transition betweenthe forward facing region and an adjacent side facing region,should in this case preferably be rounded for safety reasons. Aprotruding forward facing region allows efficient capturing of theheadwind.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least oneside facing region has a larger extension than the at least oneforward facing region. This ensures that a sufficient amount of aircan be provided when the vehicle is standing still or moving at a low speed.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least oneforward facing region comprises a mesh or a perforated surface.The mesh or perforated surface makes it easy for the headwind toflow into the air intake assembly and also functions as a filter,removing dirt and small objects that may otherwise enter the air intake assembly and cause problems.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the air inlet is madefrom a single sheet of mesh or perforated material in which the atleast one forward facing region and the at least one side facing airpermeable region have been formed. The air inlet is thus very easyto manufacture by simply pressing the sheet of mesh or perforatedmaterial. Preferably, the mesh or perforated material is made of metal.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least oneside facing region comprises an expanded metal surface. Theexpanded metal surface can be configured so that it prevents airthat has entered the air intake assembly via the forward facingregion from flowing out via the side facing region by increasing thepressure drop for such an outward air flow, while still maintaininga low pressure drop for air being sucked in via the side facingregion by means of the fan. This is particularly advantageous whenthe forward facing region comprises a mesh or a perforated surface.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least oneside facing region comprises elements which are movable betweenan open position and a closed position. These elements can berelatively rigid but pivotable metal or plastic elements, or they canbe flexible elements, such as rubber elements. The air intake viathe side facing region is thus adjustable, so that air having enteredthe air intake assembly via the forward facing region can beprevented from flowing out through the side facing region. Whenthe motor vehicle moves at a low speed or stands still, theelements may be configured to be fully open to allow a low pressure drop and thereby a large intake of air.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the air outlet ispositioned level with the air inlet in the direction of travel of themotor vehicle. This is advantageous for motor vehicles oftentravelling at relatively low speeds, since most of the air under suchconditions enters the air intake assembly via the side facingregion, and can with this configuration be more easily guidedtoward the air outlet.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the air intakeassembly further comprises a sealed chamber in which the air inletand the air outlet is arranged. A high pressure region is therebycreated around the air inlet.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the air outlet ispositioned behind the air inlet in the direction of travel of the motorvehicle. This is advantageous in motor vehicles that are oftendriven at a high speed, such as lorries, since it allows headwindhaving entered via the forward facing region to be more efficientlyguided toward the air outlet and a fan provided downstream of the air outlet.
According to another aspect of the present invention, at least theprimary objective mentioned above is achieved by means of acooling system of an electric power unit of a motor vehicle,comprising the proposed air intake assembly and a fan positioneddownstream of the air outlet, the fan being configured to draw airinto the cooling system via the air intake assembly. Of course,more than one fan may be provided. ln the cooling system, the cooling air is usually used to cool liquid via a radiator positioned between the air outlet of the air intake assembly and the fan, andthe cooled liquid is in turn used to cool the electric power unit, forexample in the form of one or more batteries. Advantages andadvantageous embodiments of such a cooling system appear from the above description of the proposed air intake assembly. ln another aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising the proposed cooling system. ln one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the motorvehicle is a hybrid vehicle or an electrically powered vehicle. Thepowerful electric power units needed in such vehicles need anefficient cooling system which makes the proposed cooling system very suitable. ln another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the air inletis provided in a side skirt of the motor vehicle, the cooling systembeing mounted on a frame of the motor vehicle. lf the air intakeassembly comprises a chamber, this chamber may be located onan inside of the side skirt. The air inlet may protrude at least partly from the side skirt.
Other advantageous features as well as advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will in the following be described with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an air intakeassembly according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 schematically shows a top view of a part of a coolingsystem including the air intake assembly in fig. 1, Fig. 3 schematically shows an air inlet of an air intakeassembly according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 4a-b schematically show an air inlet of an air intakeassembly according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 5 schematically shows a top view of a part of a coolingsystem including an air intake assembly according toan embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6 schematically shows a part of a motor vehicle including a cooling system according to an embodiment of the invenüon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THEINVENTION A side skirt 1 of a heavy motor vehicle in which an air intakeassembly 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention isprovided is schematically shown in fig. 1. The air intake assembly2 in this embodiment comprises a chamber 3 provided between theside skirt 1 and a cooling module 4 of the vehicle, in which acooling system for cooling of an electric power unit is provided.The side skirt 1 is parallel to a direction of travel D of the motorvehicle and can constitute or be in contact with an outer wall ofthe chamber 3. The side skirt 1 forms an external vehicle surface15 of the motor vehicle. The cooling module 4 forms an inner wallof the chamber, and an air outlet 5 is provided in the inner wall, allowing passage of air from the chamber 3 to the cooling system.
The Chamber 3 further has an air inlet 6 provided in its outer wall,i.e. in an opening of the side skirt 1. The air inlet comprises severalair permeable side facing regions 7, facing in a sideward directionof the motor vehicle, and several air permeable forward facingregions 8, facing forward in the direction of travel of the motorvehicle. The side facing regions 7 and the forward facing regions8 are interposed, so that a side facing region 7 is provided betweeneach pair of forward facing regions 8, connecting the forwardfacing regions 8. The side facing regions 7 are therefore slantedwith respect to the direction of travel D, so that the forward facingregions 8 may be arranged directly behind one another in thedirection of travel D. For example, the first side facing region 7extends from an outer edge 9 of the first forward facing region 8to an inner edge 10 of the second forward facing region 8, etc. Theside facing regions 7 in this embodiment have a larger extensionthan the forward facing regions 8. The air permeable side facingregions 7 and forward facing regions comprise openings (not shown) for entry of air.
Apart from the air inlet 6 and the air outlet 5, the chamber 3 is inthis embodiment sealed so that it is air tight. A high pressure areais thereby created in the air intake assembly 2 around the air inlet6.
The air outlet 5 is provided behind the air inlet 6 in the direction oftravel D, i.e. further to a rear end of the motor vehicle, as can alsobe seen in fig. 2, which schematically shows parts of the coolingsystem according to an embodiment of the invention. Downstreamof the air outlet 5, a fan 11 is provided, sucking air into the cooling system from the air intake assembly 2. The cooling system also 11 comprises a radiator 12 configured to cool liquid coolant. Theradiator 12 is here provided between the air outlet 5 and the fan 11, but it may also be provided downstream of the fan.
During operation, air enters the air intake assembly 2 via the airin|et 6 and is sucked toward the air outlet 5 by means of the fan11. As the air passes the radiator 12, it cools the liquid coolantWhen headwind enters through the forward facing regions 8 of the air provided therein. the motor vehicle travels forward,in|et 6. A headwind-driven flow of air is thus created from theforward facing regions 8 toward the air outlet 5. The fan 11 alsosucks air through the relatively large side facing regions 7,creating a fan-driven flow of air from the side facing regions towardthe air outlet. As the vehicle slows down, the headwind-driven flowof air decreases, and as the vehicle stands still, only the fan-drivenflow of air remains. Since the rotation speed of the fan 11 is set afunction of temperatures of components in the cooling system, alarger contribution from the headwind leads to a lower rotation speed of the fan 11, and thereby a reduced energy consumption. ln the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the air in|et 6 is formedin one piece from a sheet of mesh or perforated material, either aplastic material or a metallic material, such as aluminium or steel,which has been pressed to form the air in|et 6. The mesh orperforated material has openings of sufficient size to allow non-obstructed air passage, but small enough to prevent matter suchas leaves, small branches, pebbles, etc. from entering into the airintake assembly 2. The forward facing regions 8 as well as the side facing regions 7 can be seen as flat, air permeable surfaces. 12 ln another embodiment, schematically shown in fig. 3, the air inlet6 has forward facing regions 8 formed from e.g. mesh or aperforated sheet. The side facing regions 7 are in this embodimentformed from expanded metal, such that the air entering via theforward facing regions 8 cannot easily escape through the sidefacing regions 7, since the openings in these regions are facingaway from the headwind-driven flow of air within the air intakeassembly 2. ln this way, a large pressure drop is created,preventing the headwind-driven flow of air from escaping via theside facing regions 7. As the vehicle travels forward in the directionof travel D at a low speed or stands still, air can easily enter the air intake assembly via the side facing regions 7. ln yet another embodiment, shown in fig. 4a-4b, the air inlet 6 hasforward facing regions 8 as described above with reference to fig.3, but has side facing regions 7 comprising movable elements 13which are movable between an open position, shown in fig. 4a,and a closed position, shown in fig. 4b. ln the open position, aircan be sucked in via the side facing regions 7, while as in theclosed position, headwind-driven air entering via the forwardfacing regions 8 is prevented from escaping via the side facingregions 7. The movable elements 13 may be in the form of flexibleelements, such as rubber elements or the like, or in the form of stiff but pivotable elements.
Another embodiment of the cooling system according to theinvention is schematically illustrated in fig. 5. ln this embodiment,the air intake assembly 2 comprises an air inlet 6 provided in theside skirt 1. The air inlet 6 is similar to the one previously discussed in connection with fig. 2, with side facing regions 7 and 13 forward facing regions 8 created from one single sheet of mesh orperforated material, but may also be configured as shown in fig. 3or 4a-4b. The air intake assembly in this embodiment lacks asealed chamber. lnstead, the air outlet 5 is provided in a surfaceof the cooling module 4, level with the air inlet 6 in the direction oftravel D, with radiators 12 provided directly downstream of the airoutlet 5 and fans 11 provided directly downstream of the radiators12. Of course, also with this configuration of the air inlet 6 and theair outlet 5, a sealed chamber in which the air inlet and the airoutlet are arranged may be provided in the air intake assembly. lt is also possible to place the radiators downstream of the fans.
Fig. 6 shows a part of a motor vehicle 14 according to an embodiment of the invention, in which a cooling system asdescribed above is provided, having an air inlet 6 in a side skirt1 of the vehicle.
The air outlet may in all embodiments be either in the form of anopen aperture, or in the form of a partly covered aperture, such as an aperture covered with a mesh or a perforated sheet.
The invention is of course not in any way restricted to the embodiments described above, but many possibilities tomodifications thereof would be apparent to a person with skill inthe art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. An air intake assembly (2) for providing air to a coolingsystem of an electric power unit of a motor vehicle (14), the airintake assembly (2) having an air inlet (6) provided in an externalvehicle surface (15) parallel to or essentially parallel to a directionof travel (D) of the motor vehicle, and an air outlet (5) for passageof air into the cooling system, wherein said air inlet (6) comprisesat least one air permeable side facing region (7), facing in asideward direction of the motor vehicle (14), characterised in that said air inlet (6) further comprises at least one air permeableforward facing region (8), facing forward in the direction of travel(D) of the motor vehicle (14).
2. The air intake assembly (2) according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of interposed forward facing (8) and side facing regions (7)-
3. The air intake assembly (2) according to claim 2, wherein afirst of said side facing regions (7) is positioned between a firstand a second of said forward facing regions (8), and wherein thefirst side facing region (7) extends from an outer edge (9) of thefirst forward facing region (8) to an inner edge (10) of the second forward facing region (8).
4. The air intake assembly (2) according to any one of thepreceding claims, wherein the at least one forward facing region(8) is an air permeable surface extending perpendicular to or essentially perpendicular to the direction of travel (D).
5. The air intake assembly (2) according to any one of thepreceding claims, wherein the at least one forward facing region (8) protrudes from said external vehicle surface (15).
6. The air intake assembly (2) according to any one of thepreceding claims, wherein the at least one side facing region (7) has a larger extension than the at least one forward facing region (s).
7. The air intake assembly (2) according to any one of thepreceding claims, wherein the at least one forward facing region (8) comprises a mesh or a perforated surface.
8. The air intake assembly according to claim 7, wherein the airinlet (6) is made from a single sheet of mesh or perforated materialin which the at least one forward facing region (8) and the at least one side facing region (7) have been formed.
9. The air intake assembly (2) according to any one of claims1-7, wherein the at least one side facing region (7) comprises anexpanded metal surface, or wherein the at least one side facingregion comprises elements (13) which are movable between an open position and a closed position.
10. The air intake assembly (2) according to any one of thepreceding claims, wherein the air outlet (5) is positioned level withthe air inlet (6) in the direction of travel (D) of the motor vehicle(14). 16
11. The air intake assembly (2) according to any one of thepreceding claims, further comprising a sealed chamber (3) in which the air inlet (6) and the air outlet (5) is arranged.
12. The air intake assembly (2) according to claim 11, whereinthe air outlet (5) is positioned behind the air inlet (6) in the direction of travel (D) of the motor vehicle (14).
13. A cooling system of an electric power unit of a motor vehicle(14), comprising an air intake assembly (2) according to any oneof the preceding claims and a fan (11) positioned downstream ofthe air outlet (5), the fan (11) being configured to draw air into the cooling system via the air intake assembly (2).
14. A motor vehicle (14) comprising a cooling system accordingto claim 13, preferably wherein the motor vehicle is a hybrid vehicle or an electrically powered vehicle.
15. A motor vehicle (14) according to claim 14, wherein the airinlet (6) is provided in a side skirt (1) of the motor vehicle (14), thecooling system being mounted on a frame of the motor vehicle(14).
SE1650510A 2016-04-15 2016-04-15 An air intake assembly, a cooling system and a motor vehicle SE541592C2 (en)

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DE102017002999.7A DE102017002999B4 (en) 2016-04-15 2017-03-28 AIR INTAKE ARRANGEMENT, COOLING SYSTEM AND MOTOR VEHICLE

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US11180044B2 (en) 2019-06-14 2021-11-23 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Electric vehicle cooling system

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US3837149A (en) 1973-06-27 1974-09-24 Deere & Co Engine enclosure and cooling system with rotary filter
US5794733A (en) 1996-08-16 1998-08-18 Volvo Gm Heavy Truck Corporation Vehicle air intake and method
DE102005045052A1 (en) 2005-09-21 2007-09-20 Deere & Company, Moline Cooling arrangement of a vehicle
WO2011151917A1 (en) 2010-06-03 2011-12-08 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Cooling-wind introduction structure

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