Centrifugal Blower Water Leakage Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing two-layer flow vehicle air conditioner blower units experience water leakage due to rain or snow entering the upper air passage and reaching the engagement part between the partitioning plate and the upper scroll case, as the communication holes between the upper and lower air passages are not continuous, allowing water to bypass and cause leakage.

Innovation Solution

A centrifugal blower unit with a first and second air passage partitioned vertically by a partitioning part, featuring a first and second impeller, an intermediate scroll member with a spiral outer peripheral surface, and a second scroll member with a spiral outer peripheral surface, where the engagement parts are positioned closer to the upper and lower bottom surfaces than the intermediate surfaces, reducing the likelihood of water reaching the engagement areas and preventing leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If communication holes are provided between the upper air passage and lower air passage to prevent water accumulation, then water can drain to the lower passage, but the holes cannot be formed continuously so water can still reach the engagement part between the partitioning plate and upper scroll case

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater leakage preventionVSAvoidstructure of communication holes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional planar partitioning plate to a three-dimensional curved surface structure. The inner peripheral surface of the upper scroll case is formed as a curved surface extending along the axial direction, creating a spatial barrier that water cannot easily overcome. This dimensional transformation effectively blocks water pathways without requiring complex continuous hole structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The curved surface structure is designed in advance to prevent water from reaching the engagement part between the partitioning plate and upper scroll case. By shaping the inner peripheral surface as a curved surface that extends axially, the design proactively creates a water barrier before water can accumulate or flow toward critical engagement areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the partitioning plate is engaged with the upper scroll case to partition inside and outside air passages, then vertical partitioning is achieved, but water can reach the engagement part through capillary phenomenon causing water leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement part sealingVSAvoidwater reaching engagement part

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the conventional flat partitioning plate engagement structure with a three-dimensional curved surface configuration. The inner peripheral surface of the upper scroll case extends axially as a curved surface, creating a spatial barrier that prevents water from reaching the engagement part through capillary action, thereby eliminating the sealing problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If rain water or snow enters the upper air passage, then outside air intake is affected, but water can reach the engagement part and cause water leakage to the outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater leakage preventionVSAvoidrain water or snow in upper air passage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes the axial extension of the curved surface as a beneficial feature to counteract the harmful effect of rain or snow entry. The curved surface structure, while primarily designed for aerodynamic purposes, simultaneously functions as a water barrier that converts the potential harm of water entry into an opportunity to prevent water leakage at the engagement part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 design effectively prevents water leakage from the blower unit by positioning engagement parts above the impellers and scroll surfaces, reducing the amount of water that reaches critical engagement areas, thus enhancing the unit's water management and reducing leakage.

Implementation Method 1

a first centrifugal impeller (11) disposed in the first air passage (10)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

water leakage to the outside of the scroll may occur due to capillary phenomenon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3388684B1Centrifugal blower unit

Publication Date: 2020.01.29 VALEO JAPAN CO LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A centrifugal blower unit includes a first air passage and a second air passage that are partitioned vertically by a partitioning part, an intermediate scroll member having the partitioning part, a first scroll member forming the first air passage by being engaged with the intermediate scroll member, in which a first engagement part formed by the intermediate scroll member and the first scroll member is positioned above the first air passage.