Vehicle Heat Exchanger Fan Backflow Deflection Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle heat exchanger fans generate excessive noise due to backflow, which affects airflow and increases noise levels, particularly on the radially outer side where flow velocities are highest.

Innovation Solution

A ring is integrated into the fan's frame or protection grid to deflect backflow, minimizing noise generation by directing it back into the main airflow direction, and the protection grid is designed with concentric and radial ribs that are curved or inclined differently than the fan blades to further reduce noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a fan is provided upstream of the heat exchanger to create or increase air flow, then airflow efficiency is improved, but noise generation increases due to backflow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow efficiencyVSAvoidnoise generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ring structure captures the harmful backflow and redirects it to join the main airflow stream, converting the harmful recirculating flow into a beneficial component that increases total airflow. The backflow that would normally create noise is now utilized to enhance the useful flow through the heat exchanger.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The ring acts as an intermediary element between the ventilator and the surrounding air. It mediates the interaction by capturing the backflow and guiding it back into the main flow direction, preventing direct interaction between the backflow and the external environment that would generate noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the ring is integrated into the frame or protection grid, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidintegration precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ring is merged with either the frame or the protection grid, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component. This reduces the total number of separate parts and simplifies assembly, though it does require precise manufacturing of the integrated structure to ensure proper backflow deflection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 noise generation and associated vibrations, enhancing the fan's service life and airflow efficiency while maintaining a simple configuration.

Implementation Method 1

a ring which is suitable for deflecting a backflow and which is integrated into the frame or the protection grid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow deflection:

Implementation Method 2

configure the radial ribs of the protection grid so as to be curved or inclined in a different direction than the curves of blades of the ventilator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow separation reduction:

Data Source

PatentUS20240125332A1Fan for a heat exchanger of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.04.18 HANON SYST EFP DEUT GMBH

AI summary

A fan for a heat exchanger of a vehicle includes a ventilator, and a frame surrounding the ventilator. Optionally, the fan for the heat exchanger further includes a protection grid upstream of the ventilator and a ring which is suitable for deflecting a backflow and which is integrated into the frame or the protection grid.