Cooling arrangement for an automotive vehicle, especially a passenger car

• US 4,566,407 A
• Filed: 10/16/1984
• Issued: 01/28/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag
• Inventors: Peter, Dietmar
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Application Number:
  US06/661,568
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 123/41.01, 123/41.04, 123/41.05, 123/41.06, 123/41.31, 123/41.48, 123/41.51, 180/68.1, 180/68.4, 180/68.6, 165/51
• US Class Current: 123/41.48
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/08 Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor radiator or grille guards B60R19/52

Abstract

An automotive vehicle, especially a passenger car, comprises a bumper, at least two radiators and an air duct system for guiding the cooling air stream over the radiators. To provide a cooling air guidance system which is simple in construction, which functions satisfactorily, and which can be integrated into the vehicle with few problems, each radiator is provided with a separate air duct. The inlet ports and/or the air guide means are arranged in an elastic cover of the bumper which forms the end portion of the vehicle. At least one inlet port and one air duct extend, in part through a rigid support of the bumper. The inlet port is located in a zone of maximum dynamic pressure, namely underneath a nose-like projection of the cover.

Claims

1. Automotive vehicle, especially a passenger car, having a bumper, at least two radiators and an air guidance system for guiding a cooling air stream the radiators, said air guidance system comprising:

a separate air duct for each radiator, each said air duct having an inlet port,

each said air duct extending from said inlet port to said radiator, and

each said inlet port having means for directing a flow of cooling air.

2. Automotive vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the inlet ports and the air directing means are arranged in a elastic cover of the bumper.

3. Automotive vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the radiators and the air ducts are arranged in upper and lower relation.

4. Automotive vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the lower air duct is formed by a first air guide housing detachably connected to the lower radiator and to the lower inlet port.

5. Automotive vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the lower inlet port is formed by a plurality of vertically spaced slotted openings extending transversely to the vehicle, and by ribs of the cover extending between the vertically spaced slotted openings, said ribs serving as means for directing the cooling air stream.

6. Automotive vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the air guide housing is made of a synthetic resin by a blow-molding method.

7. Automotive vehicle according to claim 3, wherein a rigid support for the bumper is of open construction, relative to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and is arranged directly behind the upper inlet port, said support and a second air guide housing forming the upper air duct.

8. Automotive vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the support is formed from two generally horizontal panels, said panels being vertically spaced a distance (E) from each other.

9. Automotive vehicle according to claim 8, further comprising means for holding the panels in position.

10. Automotive vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said means for holding the panels include locally arranged holder and spacer elements.

11. Automotive vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the panels are connected to the holders and spacer elements by fastener means, such as screws, rivets and the like.

12. Automotive vehicle according to claim 7, wherein a formed segment of the cover forming the upper inlet port and a forward end of the second air guide housing project, at least in part, into the opening of the support.

13. Automotive vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the air guide housing is made of a synthetic resin by a blow-molding method.

14. Automotive vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least one inlet port and one air duct extend, in part, through a rigid support for the bumper.

15. Automotive vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said inlet ports is located in an area of maximum dynamic pressure.

16. Automotive vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the area of maximum dynamic pressure is located below a nose-shaped projection of the cover.

17. Automotive vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said inlet port for each air duct is arranged in a front surface of said automotive vehicle.

18. Automotive vehicle, especially a passenger car, having a bumper, at least two radiators and an air guidance system for guiding a cooling air stream to the radiators, said air guidance system comprising a separate air duct for each radiator, each air duct having an inlet port, and each inlet port having means for directing a flow of cooling air, the inlet ports and the air directing means being arranged in an elastic cover of the bumper, the radiators and the air ducts being arranged in upper and lower relation.

19. Automotive vehicle according to claim 18, wherein the lower air duct is formed by a first air guide housing detachably connected to the lower radiator and to the lower inlet port.

20. Automotive vehicle according to claim 19, wherein the lower inlet port is formed by a plurality of vertically spaced slotted openings extending transversely to the vehicle, and by ribs of the cover extending between the laterally spaced slotted openings, said ribs serving as means for directing the cooling air stream.

21. Automotive vehicle according to claim 19, wherein the air guide housing is made of a synthetic resin by a blow-molding method.

22. Automotive vehicle according to claim 18, wherein a rigid support for the bumper is of open construction, relative to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and is arranged directly behind the upper inlet port, said support and a second air guide housing forming the upper air duct.

23. Automotive vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the support is formed from two generally horizontal panels, said panels being vertically spaced a distance (E) from each other.

24. Automotive vehicle according to claim 23, further comprising means for holding the panels in position.

25. Automotive vehicle according to claim 24, wherein said means for holding the panels include locally arranged holder and spacer elements.

26. Automotive vehicle according to claim 25, wherein the panels are connected to the holders and and spacer elements by fastener means, such as screws, rivets and the like.

27. Automotive vehicle according to claim 22, wherein a formed segment of the cover forming the upper inlet port and a forward end of the second air guide housing project, at least in part, into the opening of the support.

28. Automotive vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the air guide housing is made of a synthetic resin by a blow-molding method.