Cooling Fan Shroud Ring Structure for Gap Swirl Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling fans in electric and hybrid vehicles suffer from gap flow swirl, which reduces efficiency, increases noise, and requires large axial construction space due to outlet bells or pockets, particularly affecting battery cooling during fast charging.
Innovation Solution
A cooling fan design with a rib structure in the ring gap between the fan wheel and shroud ring, featuring a shroud ring section oriented axially or at an angle inwardly relative to the conveying direction, reducing swirl and minimizing axial space, and a labyrinth seal effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If outlet bells or pockets are added to reduce gap flow swirl, then airflow stability is improved, but axial construction space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shroud ring is segmented into different sections: a first shroud ring section extending axially beyond the outer ring, and a second shroud ring section oriented at an angle. This segmentation allows the structure to reduce gap flow swirl without requiring large axial space, as each segment performs a specific function in controlling the gap flow pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using outlet bells or pockets that extend axially (one dimension), the invention uses a shroud ring section oriented at an angle (changing the dimensional approach). This angular orientation creates a labyrinth seal effect that reduces gap flow swirl while minimizing axial space requirements, effectively solving the contradiction by transitioning from axial extension to angular positioning.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If gap flow swirl is reduced using traditional structures, then noise is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The noise-reducing function is merged into the shroud ring structure itself. The shroud ring section oriented at an angle serves dual purposes: it maintains the structural integrity of the fan assembly and simultaneously creates the labyrinth seal effect that reduces gap flow swirl and noise. This integration eliminates the need for separate noise-reducing components, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving noise reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The shroud ring section is designed with multi-functionality: it provides structural support for the fan wheel, creates the labyrinth seal effect to reduce gap flow swirl, and minimizes axial space requirements. This universal design approach allows a single structure to perform multiple functions, reducing the need for additional components and simplifying the overall device complexity while achieving noise reduction.
3Temperature
If cooling capacity is increased for battery cooling, then battery temperature control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful gap flow swirl (which reduces efficiency and increases energy consumption) into a beneficial controlled flow pattern. The shroud ring section oriented at an angle creates a labyrinth seal effect that transforms the wasteful swirling gap flow into directed airflow that enhances cooling capacity. This converts what was previously a harmful flow pattern into a beneficial cooling mechanism, improving battery temperature control while reducing the energy required to achieve the same cooling effect.
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 enhances airflow stability, reduces noise, and maintains compact size, improving cooling efficiency and comfort in electric vehicles, especially during battery charging.
Implementation Method 1
a rib structure disposed in the ring gap and configured to reduce swirl in a gap flow oriented against the conveying direction
Implementation Method 2
the shroud ring having a shroud ring section extending axially on the shroud underside beyond the outer ring; and the shroud ring section being oriented parallel or at an angle of inclination and radially inwards relative to the conveying direction
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling fan has a fan shroud with a fan wheel recess surrounded by a shroud ring and a fan wheel rotatably mounted in the fan wheel recess for conveying the air flow along a conveying direction from a shroud upper side to a shroud underside. The fan wheel has a central hub cup with radially orientated blades and an outer ring connecting the blades at the blade tip ends. A circumferential ring gap is formed between the outer ring and the shroud ring. A rib structure in the ring gap reduces swirl in a gap flow orientated against the conveying direction. A shroud ring section of the shroud ring extends axially beyond the outer ring on the shroud underside. The shroud ring section is orientated parallel or at an angle of inclination and radially inwards relative to the conveying direction.