HVAC Blower Cooling Duct with Airflow Distribution Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine cooling systems in motor vehicles compromise cooling efficiency by allowing heat from the engine to warm the cooling air flow, which then cools the control module ineffectively, and expose electronic components to wet cooling airflow, leading to reduced cooling performance and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A blower system with a cooling device that directs cooling air flow through a series of distribution elements and guide members within the cooling channel, ensuring the air cools the motor and control module sequentially, maintaining compactness and enhancing cooling efficiency by keeping the air cold before reaching the control module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engine and control module are disposed in one receiving space with simultaneous cooling air flow, then both components can be cooled at the same time, but the cooling air flow is quickly heated by the engine heat and loses cooling efficiency for the control module
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling air flow is segmented into separate paths: one for the engine and one for the control module. The device includes a first cooling air flow path and a second cooling air flow path that are physically separated, allowing independent cooling of each component without thermal interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful thermal influence from the engine is extracted from the control module's cooling environment. By separating the cooling air flow paths, the control module's cooling air is prevented from being heated by the engine, thus extracting the heat source from the problematic interaction.
2Device complexity
If the cooling air flow is guided only to the bottom of the motor housing, then the structure is simple, but the air flow receives no control or speed or direction
Solution Approach 1:
Guide members are introduced as intermediary elements within the cooling air flow path. These guide members actively direct and control the air flow toward specific areas, providing directional control and speed management of the cooling air without significantly complicating the overall device structure.
3Reliability
If the cooling air flow sweeps across the housing, then cooling coverage is extended, but electronic components of the control module are exposed to wet cooling airflow causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful wet cooling airflow is extracted or prevented from reaching the electronic components. The housing structure and cooling channel design ensure that the cooling air flow is directed away from the electronic components, preventing moisture and condensation from damaging sensitive electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure acts as an intermediary barrier between the cooling air flow and the electronic components. It provides physical protection and directional guidance to ensure cooling air reaches only the intended thermal zones without exposing electronic components to harmful wet airflow.
4Reliability
If distribution elements are added to control cooling air flow direction, then cooling efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, directs cooling air flow, and protects electronic components. By integrating these functions into existing structural elements rather than adding separate components, the design achieves effective cooling control without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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
This configuration improves cooling efficiency by maintaining the air's temperature and directing it effectively to both the motor and control module, reducing heat exposure and enhancing the compactness of the assembly while protecting electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
the airflow generated by the blower is preferably taken from the interior of the volute and fed to the drive motor to cool the latter. One or more cooling channels carry the cooling air flow drawn into the blower motor drive
Data Source
AI summary
Device (3) for the air-cooling of a blower for a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning apparatus comprising at least one cooling duct (4) comprising at least one cooling-air inlet (5) and defining a cooling-air-stream flow path (4') that the cooling-air stream is at least partially supposed to travel, the duct (4) being delimited by at least one wall, the cooling device (3) being characterized in that the cooling duct (4) comprises at least one cooling-air-stream distribution element (6) arranged in the flow path (4') of the duct (4).