SE541592C2 - An air intake assembly, a cooling system and a motor vehicle - Google Patents

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

Info

Publication number
SE541592C2
SE541592C2 SE1650510A SE1650510A SE541592C2 SE 541592 C2 SE541592 C2 SE 541592C2 SE 1650510 A SE1650510 A SE 1650510A SE 1650510 A SE1650510 A SE 1650510A SE 541592 C2 SE541592 C2 SE 541592C2
Authority
SE
Sweden
Prior art keywords
air
intake assembly
motor vehicle
air intake
facing region
Prior art date
Application number
SE1650510A
Other versions
SE1650510A1 (en
Inventor
Björn Kylefors
Ola Hall
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

Links

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.

Description

An air intake assembly, a cooling system and a motor vehicle TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an air intake assembly according to the preamble of claim 1, to a cooling system of an electric unit of a motor vehicle comprising such an air intake assembly, and to a motor vehicle. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an air intake assembly for use in a cooling system in a heavy 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 electric power units, either for entirely or partly powering the vehicle, or for providing energy to auxiliary units within the vehicle. In both cases, a cooling system is needed to cool the electric power units. In particular, in hybrid vehicles or electrically powered vehicles powered at least partly by electric power units, the electric power units are powerful and therefore also require powerful cooling systems to function efficiently. In hybrid or electrically powered buses, it is common to position batteries and an associated cooling system on the roof of the bus, while as in trucks, the batteries and the cooling system are usually mounted on a frame of the vehicle along the vehicle’s side, such as on the inside of a side skirt. An air intake assembly of the cooling system is in that case arranged with 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 further has an air outlet for passage of air having entered via the air inlet into the cooling system, and a fan is positioned downstream of this air outlet, so that air can be sucked into the cooling system by means of the fan. A fan-driven flow of air is created from the air inlet, via the air outlet and toward the fan. A radiator or the like is positioned between the air outlet and the fan, so that coolant liquid can be cooled by the incoming air.
However, continuous efforts are being made to reduce the energy consumption of motor vehicles and it is therefore desirable to develop more efficient air intake assemblies and cooling systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a solution by means of which air intake assemblies and cooling systems of electric power units in heavy motor vehicle can be, in at least some aspect, improved. In particular, it is an objective to provide 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 the primary objective is achieved by means of an air intake assembly as initially defined, which is characterised in that said air inlet further comprises at least one air permeable forward facing region facing forward in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. The forward facing region comprises a plurality of openings dimensioned such that, as a result of headwind, air can flow in through the forward facing region when the vehicle travels forward.
In this way, when the vehicle is travelling forward, cooling air can enter the air inlet both via the forward facing region and via the air permeable side facing region, via which air is sucked in by means of one or more fans positioned downstream of the air outlet. The contribution from the headwind can thus release the burden on the fan or fans. Thereby, the rotation speed and thereby the energy consumption of the fan can be reduced without affecting the temperature at which the electric power unit is operated, and thereby without affecting the efficiency of the electric power unit. In particular, the headwind contribution is important when the motor vehicle is travelling forward at a high speed and experiences a strong headwind, since this usually coincides with a high demand on the cooling system.
Thanks to the air inlet still comprising the at least one side facing region, there is no significant pressure drop in the air intake assembly for a fan-driven flow of air when the motor vehicle is standing still or travelling at a low speed. In the absence of the side facing region, it would be difficult to provide a sufficient amount of cooling air to the cooling system under such conditions. Thus, both the side facing region and the forward facing region are important 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 an air permeable surface facing forward or essentially forward in the direction of travel, meaning that it can be somewhat inclined, or that it may be a curved surface. What is important is that the forward facing region 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 an air permeable surface facing in a sideward direction of the motor vehicle. This may not necessarily be in a direction directly perpendicular to the direction of travel, but the surface can be a slanted surface or a curved surface. The side facing region should be configured so that 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 may be e.g. a side skirt of the vehicle or another surface that is parallel to the direction of travel. The air inlet may be at least partly protruding 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 intake assembly comprises a plurality of interposed forward facing and side facing regions. This enables an efficient air intake driven both by the headwind and one or more fan/fans. Preferably, the forward facing 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 side facing regions is positioned between a first and a second of said forward facing regions, wherein the first side facing region extends from an outer edge of the first forward facing region to an inner edge of the second forward facing region. In other words, the first side facing region connects the first and the second forward facing regions, etc.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one forward facing region is an air permeable surface extending perpendicular to or essentially perpendicular to the direction of travel. Thus, the forward facing region is in this embodiment directly facing the headwind of the motor vehicle. This enables efficient air uptake via both the forward facing and the side facing regions.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one forward facing region protrudes from said external vehicle surface. An outer edge of the forward facing region, or a transition between the forward facing region and an adjacent side facing region, should in this case preferably be rounded for safety reasons. A protruding forward facing region allows efficient capturing of the headwind.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one side facing region has a larger extension than the at least one forward facing region. This ensures that a sufficient amount of air can be provided when the vehicle is standing still or moving at a low speed.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one forward facing region comprises a mesh or a perforated surface. The mesh or perforated surface makes it easy for the headwind to flow 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 made from a single sheet of mesh or perforated material in which the at least one forward facing region and the at least one side facing air permeable region have been formed. The air inlet is thus very easy to manufacture by simply pressing the sheet of mesh or perforated material. Preferably, the mesh or perforated material is made of metal.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one side facing region comprises an expanded metal surface. The expanded metal surface can be configured so that it prevents air that has entered the air intake assembly via the forward facing region from flowing out via the side facing region by increasing the pressure drop for such an outward air flow, while still maintaining a low pressure drop for air being sucked in via the side facing region by means of the fan. This is particularly advantageous when the forward facing region comprises a mesh or a perforated surface.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one side facing region comprises elements which are movable between an open position and a closed position. These elements can be relatively rigid but pivotable metal or plastic elements, or they can be flexible elements, such as rubber elements. The air intake via the side facing region is thus adjustable, so that air having entered the air intake assembly via the forward facing region can be prevented from flowing out through the side facing region. When the motor vehicle moves at a low speed or stands still, the elements 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 is positioned level with the air inlet in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. This is advantageous for motor vehicles often travelling at relatively low speeds, since most of the air under such conditions enters the air intake assembly via the side facing region, and can with this configuration be more easily guided toward the air outlet.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the air intake assembly further comprises a sealed chamber in which the air inlet and the air outlet is arranged. A high pressure region is thereby created around the air inlet.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the air outlet is positioned behind the air inlet in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. This is advantageous in motor vehicles that are often driven at a high speed, such as lorries, since it allows headwind having entered via the forward facing region to be more efficiently guided toward the air outlet and a fan provided downstream of the air outlet.
According to another aspect of the present invention, at least the primary objective mentioned above is achieved by means of a cooling system of an electric power unit of a motor vehicle, comprising the proposed air intake assembly and a fan positioned downstream of the air outlet, the fan being configured to draw air into the cooling system via the air intake assembly. Of course, more than one fan may be provided. In 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, and the cooled liquid is in turn used to cool the electric power unit, for example in the form of one or more batteries. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of such a cooling system appear from the above description of the proposed air intake assembly.
In another aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising the proposed cooling system.
In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the motor vehicle is a hybrid vehicle or an electrically powered vehicle. The powerful electric power units needed in such vehicles need an efficient cooling system which makes the proposed cooling system very suitable.
In another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the air inlet is provided in a side skirt of the motor vehicle, the cooling system being mounted on a frame of the motor vehicle. If the air intake assembly comprises a chamber, this chamber may be located on an 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 intake assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 schematically shows a top view of a part of a cooling system including the air intake assembly in fig. 1 , Fig. 3 schematically shows an air inlet of an air intake assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 4a-b schematically show an air inlet of an air intake assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 5 schematically shows a top view of a part of a cooling system including an air intake assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6 schematically shows a part of a motor vehicle including a cooling system according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION A side skirt 1 of a heavy motor vehicle in which an air intake assembly 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention is provided is schematically shown in fig. 1. The air intake assembly 2 in this embodiment comprises a chamber 3 provided between the side skirt 1 and a cooling module 4 of the vehicle, in which a cooling system for cooling of an electric power unit is provided. The side skirt 1 is parallel to a direction of travel D of the motor vehicle and can constitute or be in contact with an outer wall of the chamber 3. The side skirt 1 forms an external vehicle surface 15 of the motor vehicle. The cooling module 4 forms an inner wall of 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 several air permeable side facing regions 7, facing in a sideward direction of the motor vehicle, and several air permeable forward facing regions 8, facing forward in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle. The side facing regions 7 and the forward facing regions 8 are interposed, so that a side facing region 7 is provided between each pair of forward facing regions 8, connecting the forward facing regions 8. The side facing regions 7 are therefore slanted with respect to the direction of travel D, so that the forward facing regions 8 may be arranged directly behind one another in the direction of travel D. For example, the first side facing region 7 extends from an outer edge 9 of the first forward facing region 8 to an inner edge 10 of the second forward facing region 8, etc. The side facing regions 7 in this embodiment have a larger extension than the forward facing regions 8. The air permeable side facing regions 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 in this embodiment sealed so that it is air tight. A high pressure area is thereby created in the air intake assembly 2 around the air inlet 6.
The air outlet 5 is provided behind the air inlet 6 in the direction of travel D, i.e. further to a rear end of the motor vehicle, as can also be seen in fig. 2, which schematically shows parts of the cooling system according to an embodiment of the invention. Downstream of 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 comprises a radiator 12 configured to cool liquid coolant. The radiator 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 air inlet 6 and is sucked toward the air outlet 5 by means of the fan 11. As the air passes the radiator 12, it cools the liquid coolant provided therein. When the motor vehicle travels forward, headwind enters through the forward facing regions 8 of the air inlet 6. A headwind-driven flow of air is thus created from the forward facing regions 8 toward the air outlet 5. The fan 11 also sucks air through the relatively large side facing regions 7, creating a fan-driven flow of air from the side facing regions toward the air outlet. As the vehicle slows down, the headwind-driven flow of air decreases, and as the vehicle stands still, only the fan-driven flow of air remains. Since the rotation speed of the fan 11 is set a function of temperatures of components in the cooling system, a larger contribution from the headwind leads to a lower rotation speed of the fan 11, and thereby a reduced energy consumption.
In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the air inlet 6 is formed in one piece from a sheet of mesh or perforated material, either a plastic material or a metallic material, such as aluminium or steel, which has been pressed to form the air inlet 6. The mesh or perforated material has openings of sufficient size to allow nonobstructed air passage, but small enough to prevent matter such as leaves, small branches, pebbles, etc. from entering into the air intake assembly 2. The forward facing regions 8 as well as the side facing regions 7 can be seen as flat, air permeable surfaces.
In another embodiment, schematically shown in fig. 3, the air inlet 6 has forward facing regions 8 formed from e.g. mesh or a perforated sheet. The side facing regions 7 are in this embodiment formed from expanded metal, such that the air entering via the forward facing regions 8 cannot easily escape through the side facing regions 7, since the openings in these regions are facing away from the headwind-driven flow of air within the air intake assembly 2. In this way, a large pressure drop is created, preventing the headwind-driven flow of air from escaping via the side facing regions 7. As the vehicle travels forward in the direction of travel D at a low speed or stands still, air can easily enter the air intake assembly via the side facing regions 7.
In yet another embodiment, shown in fig. 4a-4b, the air inlet 6 has forward facing regions 8 as described above with reference to fig. 3, but has side facing regions 7 comprising movable elements 13 which are movable between an open position, shown in fig. 4a, and a closed position, shown in fig. 4b. In the open position, air can be sucked in via the side facing regions 7, while as in the closed position, headwind-driven air entering via the forward facing regions 8 is prevented from escaping via the side facing regions 7. The movable elements 13 may be in the form of flexible elements, such as rubber elements or the like, or in the form of stiff but pivotable elements.
Another embodiment of the cooling system according to the invention is schematically illustrated in fig. 5. In this embodiment, the air intake assembly 2 comprises an air inlet 6 provided in the side skirt 1. The air inlet 6 is similar to the one previously discussed in connection with fig. 2, with side facing regions 7 and forward facing regions 8 created from one single sheet of mesh or perforated material, but may also be configured as shown in fig. 3 or 4a-4b. The air intake assembly in this embodiment lacks a sealed chamber. Instead, the air outlet 5 is provided in a surface of the cooling module 4, level with the air inlet 6 in the direction of travel D, with radiators 12 provided directly downstream of the air outlet 5 and fans 11 provided directly downstream of the radiators 12. Of course, also with this configuration of the air inlet 6 and the air outlet 5, a sealed chamber in which the air inlet and the air outlet are arranged may be provided in the air intake assembly. It 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 as described above is provided, having an air inlet 6 in a side skirt 1 of the vehicle.
The air outlet may in all embodiments be either in the form of an open 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 to modifications thereof would be apparent to a person with skill in the 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 cooling system of an electric power unit of a motor vehicle (14) intended to travel at a high speed, the air intake assembly (2) 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 (6) comprises at least one air permeable side facing region (7) in the form of an air permeable surface, facing in a sideward direction of the motor vehicle (14), characterised in that said air inlet (6) further comprises at least one air permeable forward facing region (8) in the form of an air permeable surface facing forward in the direction of travel (D) of the motor vehicle (14) and comprising a plurality of openings dimensioned such that, when the motor vehicle travels forward, air can flow in through the at least one forward facing region (8) so that a headwind-driven flow of air is created from the at least one forward facing region (8) toward the air outlet (5).
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 a first of said side facing regions (7) is positioned between a first and a second of said forward facing regions (8), and wherein the first side facing region (7) extends from an outer edge (9) of the first 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 the preceding 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 the preceding 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 the preceding claims, wherein the at least one side facing region (7) has a larger extension than the at least one forward facing region (8).
7. The air intake assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding 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 air inlet (6) is made from a single sheet of mesh or perforated material in 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 claims 1-7, wherein the at least one side facing region (7) comprises an expanded metal surface, or wherein the at least one side facing region 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 the preceding claims, wherein the air outlet (5) is positioned level with the air inlet (6) in the direction of travel (D) of the motor vehicle (14).
11. The air intake assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a 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, wherein the 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 one of the preceding claims and a fan (11) positioned downstream of the 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 according to 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 air inlet (6) is provided in a side skirt (1) of the motor vehicle (14), the cooling 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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