Description:AN AIR GUIDING STRUCTURE
[0001] The present subject matter, in general, relates to air guide structure in a vehicle, in particular, the present subject matter relates to an air guiding structure of a front bumper area in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Traditionally, vehicles may be fitted with different types of engines based on different types of variants as decided by manufacturer, therefore the vehicle may comprise different intake mounting position, based on the engine used. The different intake mounting positions include a position when the air intake is engine mounted and the other position wherein the air intake is body mounted. Since, a vehicle is provided with one engine at a time, each vehicle may come with a single air intake position (body mounted or engine mounted) and that the positions of the same may be at different locations for different vehicles or for one type of vehicle there could be different variants where the type of engines would be different, and accordingly the air intake positions
[0003] In order to accommodate different types of engines, in some vehicles, specifically in the front bumper area, a single location may be fixed for the engine air intake, as a result of design requirements irrespective of the engine options being used. In such case, the intake port systems for each engine option available is modified, specifically for the vehicle, to receive air from a single location. The modification requires designing of new air-intake hoses, re-tuning of the engine and considerable testing activities for each engine to meet performance and regulatory requirements.
[0004] Furthermore, if air-guide shape is integrated into a bumper reinforcement, two separate variants of bumper reinforcements for the two engine variants may be needed to be created. In this case, two separate large molds may be required, which doubles the tool development effort and cost, or replaceable inserts may be used. Both of the above-mentioned scenarios lead to additional operational costs.
[0005] To that understanding, if an air guide shape is a separate component fixed to a bumper system, then two separate air guide shapes need to be created that can be fitted on the bumper. This requires development of two molds and could also lead to wrong subassembly of front bumper system. Separate parts for each engine will create multiple bumper variants, which may lead to wrong subassembly of front bumper system.
[0006] Thus, there is a need for a solution to overcome the drawbacks wherein a vehicle can have different types of engines having different air intake mounting positions, leading to the above-mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed below.
[0008] It is a general or primary object of the present subject matter to provide an air guiding structure that provides incoming air to a type of engine and an engine bay.
[0009] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide the air guiding structure that manages a temperature of the engine bay by providing the incoming air to the engine bay.
[0010] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide an air guide structure that provides air in vehicles having different types of engines (ones where the intake is body mounted and another where the air intake is engine mounted).
[0011] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0012] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an air guiding structure for guiding incoming air. The air guiding structure includes an upper air guide opening configured to guide the incoming air towards one of a intake port of a first type of engine and an engine bay. The upper air guide opening is aligned with the intake port to guide the incoming air towards the first type of engine. The air guiding structure also includes a lower air guide opening configured to guide the incoming air towards one of an intake port of a second type of engine and the engine bay. The lower air guide opening is aligned with the intake port to guide the incoming air towards the second type of engine.
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[0013] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the air upper guiding opening comprises a first vertical end, a second vertical end opposite to the first vertical end, an upper end, and a lower end opposite to the upper end. The lower end includes a vane extending diagonally inside the upper air guiding opening in a vertical direction configured to guide the incoming air towards one of the first type of engine and the engine bay. The vane is fixed in an orientation aligning with the first type of engine for guiding the incoming air. The lower end also includes a plurality of slots at a lower point of the vane (204), configured to provide a drainage path to water towards an outside of the air guiding structure.
[0014] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the vane is moved in one of an upwards direction and a downwards direction at an angle with respect to a lower end while being attached to the lower end in order to be aligned with the first type of engine for guiding the incoming air towards the first type of engine.
[0015] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the air guiding structure includes a plurality of horizontal ribs enclosing the upper air guide opening for strengthening the air guiding structure and providing a rigidity to the upper air guide opening. The plurality of horizontal ribs is around a first vertical end and a second vertical end of the upper air guide opening.
[0016] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the lower air guide opening is a rectangular shaped opening including a first vertical side, a second vertical side opposite to the first vertical side, an upper side extending from the first vertical side towards the second vertical side, and a lower side opposite to the upper side, extending from the first vertical side towards the second vertical side.
[0017] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the lower air guide opening further comprises a deflection structure extending from the second vertical side diagonally inside the lower air guide opening, configured to guide the incoming air in a sideways direction towards the intake port of the second type of engine while covering a portion of the lower air guide opening, and a hole in the deflection structure configured to allow the incoming air towards the engine bay while inner functional parts in the engine bay remain covered.
[0018] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the air guiding structure is integrated into a bumper reinforcement structure in a front bumper area of a vehicle of a vehicle having one of the first type of engine and the second type of engine amongst a type of engines.
[0019] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the air guiding structure splits the incoming air in two streams and guides the two streams towards one of the first type of engine, and the second type of engine and the engine bay.
[0020] In an aspect of the present subject matter, when the upper air guide opening guides the incoming air towards the first type of engine, the lower air guide opening guides the incoming air towards the engine bay to manage a temperature of the engine bay and when the lower air guide opening guides the intake air towards the second type of engine, the upper air guide opening guides the intake air towards the engine bay.
[0021] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0023] Fig. 1 illustrates a line diagram depicting an air guiding structure for an intake of incoming air and an engine bay temperature management, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0024] Fig. 2 illustrates a line diagram depicting the upper air guide opening, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0025] Fig. 3 illustrates a line diagram depicting the lower air guide opening, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0026] Fig. 4 illustrates a line diagram depicting a number of slots, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0027] Fig. 5 illustrates a line diagram depicting a number of horizontal ribs in the air guiding structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0028] Fig. 6 illustrates a line diagram depicting an intake port of a first type of engine in a vehicle receiving incoming air, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0029] Fig. 7 illustrates a line diagram depicting an intake port of a second type of engine in a vehicle receiving incoming air, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0030] Fig. 8 illustrates a line diagram depicting the intake ports of both types of engines receiving incoming air from the air guiding structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0031] Fig. 9 illustrates a line diagram depicting the air guiding structure integrated in a front bumper area, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0032] Fig. 10 illustrates a line diagram depicting the air guide structure as a separate component, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0033] Fig. 11 illustrates a line diagram depicting a sectional view of the air guide structure splitting incoming air into two streams, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0035] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0036] Fig. 1 illustrates a line diagram 100 depicting an air guiding structure 102 for an intake of incoming air and an engine bay temperature management, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The air guiding structure 102 may be present in a front bumper area of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the air guiding structure 102 may be integrated with a bumper reinforcement structure. In another embodiment, the air guiding structure 102 may be a separate component attached in the front bumper area. The air guiding structure 102 may be a single piece dual function air guide component configured to simultaneously guide the incoming air towards an engine and the engine bay. The air guiding structure 102 may be configured to split the incoming air in two parts and guide one part of the incoming air towards one type of the engine and another part of the incoming air towards the engine bay for managing the temperature of the engine bay. Specifically, the incoming air may be guided towards an intake port associated with one type of engine. To that understanding, the engine may be from a number of types of engines. A vehicle may be incorporated with one engine from the number of types of engines and each type of engine from the number of types of engines may be located at distinct point in the vehicle. The number of types of engines may include a first type of engine and a second type of engine The intake port of the first type of engine may be located at a higher point in the vehicle with respect to another point where the intake port of the second type of engine is located.
[0037] Continuing with the above embodiment, the air guiding structure 102 may include an upper air guide opening 104, a lower air guide opening 106, and a number of ribs. The upper air guide opening 104 and the lower air guide opening 106 may be vertically stacked openings configured to split the incoming air and guide the one part towards a type of engine from the number of types of engines and the other part to the engine bay. The upper air guide opening 104 may be aligned with the intake port to guide the incoming air towards the first type of engine. The lower air guide opening 106 may be aligned with the intake port to guide the incoming air towards the second type of engine The upper air guide opening 104 may be configured to guide the incoming air towards one of the intake port of the first type of engine..
[0038] To that understanding, the lower air guide opening 106 may be configured to guide the incoming air towards one of the intake port of the second type of engine and the engine bay. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, where the vehicle includes the first type of engine, the upper air guide opening 104 may be configured to guide the incoming air towards the first type of engine and the lower air guide opening 106 may guide the incoming air towards the engine bay for managing the temperature of the engine bay. Further, in another embodiment of the present subject matter, where the vehicle includes the second type of engine, the lower air guide opening 106 may guide the incoming air towards the second type of engine and the upper air guide opening 104 may be configured to guide the incoming air towards the engine bay for managing the temperature of the engine bay. Further, to that understanding, the number of ribs may be configured to strengthen the air guiding structure 102 and provide rigidity to the upper air guide opening 104.
[0039] Fig. 2 illustrates a line diagram 200 depicting the upper air guide opening 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The upper air guide opening 104 may be one half of an air guiding structure, stacked vertically above a lower air guide opening. The upper air guide opening 104 may be configured to guide an incoming air towards one of a intake port associated with a first type of engine from a type of engines. The upper air guide opening 104 may guide the incoming air towards the first engine when the first type of engine is operational and the upper air guide opening 104 may guide the incoming air towards the engine bay when a second type of engine is operational and receiving the incoming air from the lower air guide opening. The first type of engine and the upper air guide opening 104 may be aligned with one another in order to guide the incoming air towards the first type of engine.
[0040] Continuing with the above embodiment, the upper air guide opening 104 may include a first vertical end 202a, a second vertical end 202b, an upper end 202c, and a lower end 202d. The first vertical end 202a and the second vertical end 202b may be vertical ends opposite to one another. The upper end 202c and the lower end 202d may be horizontal ends extending between the first vertical end 202a and the second vertical end 202b, opposite to one another. The first vertical end 202a, the second vertical end 202b, the upper end 202c, and the lower end 202d may be combined with one another to provide a rectangular shape to the upper air guide opening 104.
[0041] Subsequently, the upper air guide opening 104 may include a vane 204 at the lower end 202d. The vane 204 may be extending diagonally inside the upper air guide opening 104 in a vertical direction. The vane 204 may be extending in a direction opposite to an outside of the upper air guide opening 104. The vane 204 may be configured to guide the incoming air towards one of the first type of engine and the engine bay. The vane 204 may be fixed in an orientation aligning with the first type of engine for guiding the incoming air. In an embodiment, the orientation of the vane 204 may be changed by moving the vane 204 in one of an upwards direction and downwards direction at an angle with respect to the lower end 202d while being attached to the lower end 202d for aligning the vane 204 with the first type of engine. The alignment may be achieved to guide the incoming air from the vane 204 towards the first type of engine.
[0042] In continuation with the above embodiment, the upper air guide opening 104 may also include a number of slots 206. The number of slots 206 may be located across a surface of the lower end 202d. The number of slots 206 may be configured to provide a drainage path to water towards the outside of the air guiding structure 102.
[0043] Fig. 3 illustrates a line diagram 300 depicting the lower air guide opening 106, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The lower air guide opening 106 may be one half of an air guiding structure, stacked vertically below an upper air guide opening of the air guiding structure. The lower air guide opening 106 may be configured to guide an incoming air towards one of an intake port associated with a second type of engine from a type of engines, and an engine bay. The lower air guide opening 106 may guide the incoming air towards the second type of engine when a vehicle is fitted with the second type of engine. The lower air guide opening 106 may guide the incoming air towards an engine bay when the vehicle is fitted with a first type of engine. The second type of engine and the lower air guide opening 106 may be aligned with one another in order to guide the incoming air towards the second type of engine.
[0044] Continuing with the above embodiment, the lower air guide opening 106 may be a rectangular shaped opening. The lower air guide opening 106 may include a first vertical side 302a, a second vertical side 302b, an upper side 302c, and a lower side 302d. The first vertical side 302a and the second vertical side 302b may be opposite to one another. The upper side 302c may be opposite to the lower side 302d. The upper side 302c and the lower side 302d may be extending away from the first vertical side 302a towards the second vertical side 302b.
[0045] To that understanding, the lower air guide opening 106 may further include a deflection structure 304, and a hole 306. The deflection structure 304 may be extending from the second vertical side 302b diagonally inside the lower air guide opening 106. The deflection structure 304 may be configured to guide the incoming air in a sideways direction towards an intake port of the second type of engine while covering a portion of the lower air guide opening 106. The hole 306 may be in the deflection structure 304 and the hole 306 may be configured to allow the incoming air towards the engine bay while inner functional parts in the engine bay remain covered.
[0046] Fig. 4 illustrates a line diagram 400 depicting the number of slots 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The number of slots 206 may be present in the upper air guide opening 104 as referred to in the fig. 1. Specifically, the number of slots 206 may be present across a surface of a lower point of the vane 204. Specifically, the number of slots 206 may be facing in an opposite direction to that of the vane 204. The number of slots 206 may be configured to provide a drainage path to water towards the outside of the air guiding structure 102.
[0047] Fig. 5 illustrates a line diagram 500 depicting a number of horizontal ribs 502 in the air guiding structure 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The number of horizontal ribs 502 may be present around the upper air guide opening 104. Specifically, the number of horizontal ribs 502 may be configured to enclose the upper air guide opening 104 from the first vertical end 202a and the second vertical end 202b such that the number of horizontal ribs 502 may be located at each side of the upper air guide opening 104. The number of horizontal ribs 502 may be configured to strengthen the air guiding structure 102 and provide a rigidity to the upper air guide opening 104.
[0048] Fig. 6 illustrates a line diagram 600 depicting a intake port 602 of a first type of engine in a vehicle receiving incoming air, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The intake port 602 of the first type of engine may be located at a higher point with respect to another point where an intake port of second type of engine may be located. The intake port 602 may be a body mounted intake port The first type of engine may be receiving the incoming air from the upper air guide opening 104. The vane 204 is orientated in a way to align a path of the incoming air from the vane 204 towards the intake port 602. While the first type of engine is receiving the incoming air through the intake port 602, an engine bay may be receiving the incoming air from the lower air guide opening 106 to manage a temperature of the engine bay. The intake port 602 may be located significantly above the upper air guide opening 104 and is horizontally orientated. The upper air guide opening 104 may act as a primary intake air guide for the first type of engine while the lower air guide opening 106 may act as an auxiliary intake air guide for cooling the engine bay.
[0049] Fig. 7 illustrates a line diagram 700 depicting a intake port 702 of a second type of engine in a vehicle receiving incoming air, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The intake port 702 of the second type of engine may be located in a vehicle at a lower point with respect to another point where an intake port of first type of engine may be located. The intake port 702 may be an engine mounted intake port The second type of engine may be receiving the incoming air from the lower air guide opening 106. While the second type of engine is receiving the incoming air, an engine bay may be receiving the incoming air from the upper air guide opening 104 to manage a temperature of the engine bay. The lower air guide opening 106 may act as a primary intake air guide for the second type of engine while the upper air guide opening 104 may act as an auxiliary intake air guide for cooling the engine bay.
[0050] Fig. 8 illustrates a line diagram 800 depicting the intake port 602 and the intake port 702 receiving incoming air from the air guiding structure 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The intake port 602 may be configured to receive the incoming air from the upper air guide opening 104 and the intake port 702 may be configured to receive the incoming air from the lower air guide opening 106.
[0051] Fig. 9 illustrates line diagram 900 depicting the air guiding structure 102 integrated in a front bumper area, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The air guiding structure 102 may specifically be integrated with a bumper reinforcement structure present in the front bumper area.
[0052] Fig. 10 illustrates a line diagram 1000 depicting the air guiding structure 102 as a separate component, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In a preferred embodiment, the air guiding structure 102 may be detachably mounted within a front bumper area via a number of points present at each edge of the air guiding structure 102.
[0053] Fig. 11 illustrates a line diagram 1100 depicting a sectional view of the air guiding structure 102 splitting incoming air into two streams, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A first stream may be received by a first type of engine via an intake port and a second stream may be received by a second type of engine via an intake port. When the first type of engine is receiving the first stream, the second stream is received by an engine bay. When the second type of engine is receiving the second stream, the first stream is received by the engine bay.
[0054] The present subject matter includes a number of advantages:
a. The air guiding structure achieves the required Intake Air temperature by directing the right amount of air to the required area.
b. A single part can be used across two different types of engines for the same vehicle.
c. The air guiding structure can be either integrated into a bumper reinforcement structure or can be developed as a separate part based on the requirement.
d. The air guiding structures opens way for significant savings in cost and development effort for tooling can be achieved by avoiding multiple variants of the part which might require multiple tools or inserts.
e. With this design concept, a same air-intake system (on the engine side) may be used across different models on the same platform.
f. The air guiding structure requires a lower assembly time on the assembly line due to same part being used across all variants of the vehicle.
g. The chance for assembly of wrong combination of parts in the front bumper system is eliminated with the air guiding structure.
h. The combination of shapes used for the Air-guide structure provides additional strength and rigidity to the overall reinforcement structure due to its shape compared to a simple rectangular opening.
[0055] While the detailed description describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
, Claims:We claim:
1. An air guiding structure (102) for guiding incoming air, comprising:
an upper air guide opening (104) configured to guide the incoming air towards an intake port (602) of a first type of engine and an engine bay, wherein the upper air guide opening (104) is aligned with the intake port (602) to guide the incoming air towards the first type of engine; and
a lower air guide opening (106) configured to guide the incoming air towards one of a intake port (702) of a second type of engine and the engine bay, wherein the lower air guide opening (106) is aligned with the intake port (702) to guide the incoming air towards the second type of engine.

2. The air guiding structure (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air upper guiding opening comprises:
a first vertical end (202a);
a second vertical end (202b) opposite to the first vertical end (202a);
an upper end (202c); and
a lower end (202d) opposite to the upper end (202c), comprising:
a vane (204) extending diagonally inside the upper air guide opening (104) in a vertical direction configured to guide the incoming air towards one of the first type of engine and the engine bay, wherein the vane (204) is fixed in an orientation aligning with the first type of engine for guiding the incoming air; and
a plurality of slots (206) at a lower point of the vane (204), configured to provide a drainage path to water towards an outside of the air guiding structure (102).

3. The air guiding structure (102) as claimed in claim 2, wherein vane (204) is moved in one of an upwards direction and a downwards direction at an angle with respect to a lower end (202d) while being attached to the lower end (202d) in order to be aligned with the first type of engine for guiding the incoming air towards the first type of engine.
4. The air guiding structure (102) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of horizontal ribs (502) enclosing the upper air guide opening (104) for strengthening the air guiding structure (102) and providing a rigidity to the upper air guide opening (104), wherein the plurality of horizontal ribs (502) is around a first vertical end (202a) and a second vertical end (202b) of the upper air guide opening (104).
5. The air guiding structure (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein lower air guide opening (106) is a rectangular shaped opening comprising:
a first vertical side (302a);
a second vertical side (302b) opposite to the first vertical side (302a);
an upper side (302c) extending from the first vertical side (302a) towards the second vertical side (302b); and
a lower side (302d) opposite to the upper side (302c), extending from the first vertical side (302a) towards the second vertical side (302b);
6. The air guiding structure (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower air guide opening (106) further comprises:
a deflection structure (304) extending from the second vertical side (302b) diagonally inside the lower air guide opening (106), configured to guide the incoming air in a sideways direction towards the intake port (702) of the second type of engine while covering a portion of the lower air guide opening (106); and
a hole (306) in the deflection structure (304) configured to allow the incoming air towards the engine bay while inner functional parts in the engine bay remain covered.
7. The air guiding structure (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air guiding structure (102) is integrated into a bumper reinforcement structure in a front bumper area of a vehicle.
8. The air guiding structure (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air guiding structure (102) splits the incoming air in two streams and guides the one stream towards one of the first type of engine, and the second type of engine and the another stream towards the engine bay.
9. The air guiding structure (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the upper air guide opening (104) guides the incoming air towards the first type of engine, the lower air guide opening (106) guides the incoming air towards the engine bay to manage a temperature of the engine bay and when the lower air guide opening (106) guides the intake air towards the second type of engine, the upper air guide opening (104) guides the intake air towards the engine bay.