Engine drive apparatus

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional engine drive apparatuses face limitations in mixed gas flow rate, leading to restricted engine output and potential fire hazards due to gas leakage towards the motor during supercharging.

Innovation Solution

An engine drive apparatus with a fan assembly that includes a motor-driven fan to supercharge mixed gas, where the air is routed to pass through the motor and the fan assembly is designed to prevent gas leakage by using a support bracket and diffuser configuration, and a flow path forming case that separates air and mixed gas flow paths to radiate the motor and prevent gas leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a fan assembly is used to supercharge mixed gas to increase engine output, then the mixed gas flow rate increases, but gas may leak towards the motor causing fire hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixed gas flow rateVSAvoidgas leakage towards motor
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flow path is divided into separate regions: a first flow path for air intake that passes through the motor, and a second flow path for mixed gas that is kept separate from the motor. This segmentation prevents gas leakage towards the motor while maintaining supercharging functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A guide bracket is introduced as an intermediary component to guide the mixed gas flow and prevent it from contacting the motor. The guide bracket acts as a barrier and directional guide, ensuring gas flows only through the intended second flow path without leaking towards the motor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If air is supplied to the mixer after passing through the motor, then the motor is radiated for cooling, but the motor and gas flow paths must be carefully managed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor coolingVSAvoidflow path configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first flow path serves multiple functions: it cools the motor through air passage and simultaneously supplies the air needed for mixing with gas in the mixer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling systems while maintaining thermal management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow paths are arranged in different spatial dimensions and orientations. The first flow path for air cooling is positioned and directed differently from the second flow path for mixed gas, allowing both functions to coexist without interference through spatial separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the fan assembly is positioned close to the mixer for efficient supercharging, then the structure is compact, but gas leakage towards the motor becomes more likely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidfire hazard prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide bracket and flow path configuration are designed in advance to prevent gas leakage before it can occur. By establishing proper flow direction and barriers beforehand, the design proactively eliminates the fire hazard rather than reacting to potential leakage problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The motor is effectively isolated from the mixed gas environment by separating it into its own dedicated flow path region. The motor is 'taken out' from the gas flow zone and placed in a separate air-only zone, eliminating the fire hazard while maintaining compact integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enhances mixed gas flow rate to increase engine output while preventing gas leakage and potential fires, ensuring efficient and safe operation.

Implementation Method 1

a fan connected with the motor via a shaft to drive, and the air is supplied to the mixer after passing through the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a fan assembly arranged in a front end of the engine and configured to super-charge the mixed gas towards the engine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

the air is supplied to the mixer after passing through the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

another object of the present invention is to provide an engine drive apparatus which may radiate a motor so as to allow the air supplied to a mixer to pass a motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3604759B1Engine drive apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3604759B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3604759B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3604759B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

There is disclosed an engine drive apparatus comprising an engine configured to generate a power by combusting mixed gas of air and gas fuel; a fan assembly arranged in an upstream of the engine and configured to super-charge the mixed gas towards the engine; and a mixer provided in an upstream of the fan assembly and configured to mix the air and the fuel with each other, wherein the fan assembly comprises a motor; and a fan connected with the motor via a shaft to drive, and the air is supplied to the mixer after passing through the motor.