Research on Front-End Intake Performance Based on a Standardized Aerodynamic Model for Electric Vehicles

The front-end intake flow field of an electric vehicle and its control exert significant influences on the vehicle’s aerodynamic drag and heat dissipation performance. In this paper, a standardized aerodynamic model for electric vehicles was developed, providing a reusable benchmark platform for coupled investigations into vehicle aerodynamic and thermodynamic performances. Based on this model, the effects of the installation inclination angle of the cooling module and the opening degree of the active grille shutter (AGS) on the vehicle drag coefficient, the intake airflow rate of the cooling module, and heat dissipation performance were investigated. The results demonstrate that the inclined arrangement of the cooling module can reduce the height of the motor compartment, while the incoming air velocity and flow rate decrease obviously, which deteriorates the heat dissipation performance of cooling components. Regulating the opening degree of the AGS imposes remarkable impacts on the intake flow field, vehicle aerodynamic drag, and heat dissipation performance. As the AGS opening gradually increases within the range of 0° to 45°, the drag coefficient and cooling intake air volume vary in an approximately linear manner. Once the grille opening exceeds 45°, further increasing the opening angle produces a weaker effect on the intake flow field and aerodynamic drag.