Angled Fan Shroud with Integrated Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle fan shroud and heat exchanger configurations often face space constraints at the front end of vehicles, leading to insufficient cooling and increased noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) due to improper positioning and airflow dynamics.
Innovation Solution
A fan shroud with an integrated support structure is designed to be angled and coupled to the vehicle's frame, featuring asymmetrical reinforcement features and mating surfaces to reduce vertical space occupation and enhance airflow, while supporting the heat exchanger and condenser to improve cooling efficiency and reduce NVH.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the fan and heat exchanger are positioned at the front end of the vehicle, then cooling function is provided, but vertical space is excessively occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The fan shroud is positioned at an angled orientation rather than vertically, transforming the space occupation from vertical dimension to an angled configuration. This allows the cooling system to fit within constrained vertical space while maintaining adequate airflow path length for effective cooling of the heat exchanger.
2Volume of stationary object
If the fan is positioned between the radiator and condenser, then space is saved, but insufficient cooling and increased NVH occur
Solution Approach 1:
The fan is extracted from the conventional position between radiator and condenser and repositioned at an angled location with its own dedicated shroud. This separation allows the fan to be positioned optimally for airflow generation while the heat exchanger is positioned optimally for cooling, eliminating the NVH issues caused by the fan being sandwiched between components.
3Volume of stationary object
If the fan is positioned between the radiator and condenser, then space is saved, but airflow to the fan is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fan shroud is oriented at an angle rather than vertically, creating an optimized airflow path that allows ambient air to flow more effectively to the fan impeller. This angled positioning improves airflow velocity and volume to the fan while maintaining compact vertical space occupation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces the vertical space occupied by the cooling system, enhances airflow for improved cooling, and decreases NVH, thereby increasing user comfort and system durability.
Implementation Method 1
a fan configured to direct air across heat transfer features of a heat exchanger to provide convection cooling of the heat exchanger via ambient air
Data Source
AI summary
Systems are provided for a vehicle fan shroud with integrated structural support. In one example, a fan shroud includes an opening adapted to house a fan impeller, and an upper extension and a lower foot adapted to couple the fan shroud to a vehicle in an angled position. The upper extension and lower foot provide structural support to the fan shroud to enable vehicle components such as a heat exchanger and condenser to be mounted to the fan shroud and maintained in position by the fan shroud.