DEVICE FOR INFLUENCING AN AIR FLOW IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for influencing an air flow within an engine compartment of a motor vehicle. The device comprises an adjusting means for adjusting the device between two end positions. The device is allocated to a part region of the engine compartment so that in one of the end positions, an air flow that is provided in the engine compartment is in part or entirely either guided into the part region or guided away from the part region.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: an enclosure defining an engine compartment and an orifice that accesses the engine compartment; a shutter configured to direct air flow through the orifice and into a first portion of the engine compartment when in a first position and direct air flow away from the first portion when in a second position; and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the shutter between the first and second positions.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the shutter is configured to direct air flow through the orifice and into a second portion the engine compartment when in the second position.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the engine compartment is downstream of a cooling module.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the engine compartment houses a vehicle component that is to be ventilated via the air flow.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, where the adjustment mechanism and shutter are secured to the vehicle component.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes an element that changes form in response to a change in temperature such that the position of the shutter adjusts between the first and second positions in response to a change in temperature of the element.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the element is a bimetallic element that deforms in response to a change in temperature resulting in different expansions of two metals that comprise the bimetallic element.

8. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the element is comprised of a material having shape memory that deforms in response to a change in temperature resulting in a change in crystalline structure of the element.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes an electrical actuator.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a hydraulic actuator.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a pneumatic actuator.

12. A method of adjusting air flow in a vehicle engine compartment comprising: sensing a temperature of a first portion of the engine compartment; and adjusting a shutter to a first position to direct air flow into the first portion of the engine compartment in response to the temperature being greater than a threshold.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising adjusting the shutter to a second position to direct air flow away from the first portion of the engine compartment in response to the temperature being less than the threshold.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the shutter directs air toward a second portion of the engine when in the second position.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first portion of the engine compartment houses a vehicle component and the method further comprises sensing a temperature of the vehicle component and adjusting the shutter to the first position to direct air flow into the first portion of the engine compartment in response to the temperature of the vehicle component being greater than the threshold.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising adjusting the shutter to the second position to direct air flow away from the first portion of the engine compartment in response to the temperature of the vehicle component being less than the threshold.

17. A method of adjusting air flow in a vehicle engine compartment comprising: sensing a temperature of a vehicle component that is housed in a first portion of the engine compartment; and adjusting a shutter to a first position to direct air flow into the first portion of the engine compartment in response to the temperature being greater than a threshold.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising adjusting the shutter to a second position to direct air flow away from the first portion of the engine compartment in response to the temperature being less than the threshold.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the shutter directs air toward a second portion of the engine when in the second position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates the vehicle and the device after being adjusted to a first end position; and

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates the vehicle and the device after being adjusted to a second end position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present device and method disclosed herein.

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates the vehicle 10 and the device 1 after being adjusted to a first end position. In FIG. 1, ventilation and/or cooling is not required in a part region 4a of the engine compartment 2, said part region adjoining a second part region 4b of the engine compartment 2 and being arranged within the engine compartment 2 and/or within an engine compartment enclosure that includes the engine compartment cover 7. In FIG. 1, it is not necessary to ventilate and/or cool the component 6. The device 1 is accordingly adjusted by means of the adjustment mechanism 3 into the first end position. The air flow 5 enters into the engine compartment 2 through the aperture 8 of the engine compartment cover 7 and is guided away from the part region 4a. More, specifically, the device 1 may include a shutter 9 that is moveable via the adjustment mechanism 3 and the air may be guided away from the part region 4a when the shutter 9 has been adjusted to a first position via the adjustment mechanism 3.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates the vehicle 10 and the device 1 after being adjusted to a second end position. In FIG. 2, ventilation and/or cooling is required in the part region 4a of the engine compartment 2. The device 1 is accordingly adjusted by means of the adjustment mechanism 3 into a second end position. The air flow 5 enters the engine compartment 2 through the aperture 8 of the engine compartment cover 7 and is guided into the part region 4a. The air then flows over the component 6 such that the component 6 is ventilated and/or cooled. More, specifically, the air may be guided into the part region 4a when the shutter 9 has been adjusted to a second position via the adjustment mechanism 3.

[0034] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all the possible embodiments. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form additional embodiments.