Fan Frame Curved Air Guide Reduces Flow Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle cooling fans experience increased flow resistance and noise due to turbulent air flow, particularly at low speeds, as the air hits the internal combustion engine bluntly, reducing efficiency and causing annoyance.
Innovation Solution
A fan frame with a flat frame body and a motor mount, featuring a fastening dome with a varying radially outer end and a dynamic pressure flap, is designed to direct air flow efficiently, reducing turbulence and flow resistance by introducing a radial component into the air flow and preventing air from hitting objects bluntly, while also being made in one piece for increased mechanical integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is directed onto the internal combustion engine by the fan wheel, then cooling of the engine is achieved, but flow resistance increases and efficiency reduces due to turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The fan frame features a curved rearwardly extending section that smoothly guides air flow around the engine, replacing blunt directional changes with curved surfaces. This curvature reduces turbulence and flow resistance while maintaining effective cooling air delivery to the engine.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan frame is divided into distinct functional sections: a front section that directs air onto the engine for cooling, and a rearwardly extending curved section that guides air flow away from the engine. This segmentation allows each section to optimize its specific function, reducing overall flow resistance while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
2Temperature
If air is directed onto the internal combustion engine by the fan wheel, then cooling of the engine is achieved, but noise increases due to turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The curved rearwardly extending section of the fan frame smooths air flow transitions, reducing turbulence-induced noise. The curved geometry eliminates sharp edges and abrupt directional changes that generate harmful noise, while still effectively directing cooling air onto the engine.
3Strength
If the fan frame is made as a single integrated component, then mechanical integrity increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan frame integrates multiple functional elements into a single molded component, including the front cooling section, the curved rearwardly extending air guide section, and mounting features. This merging provides structural strength and mechanical integrity while the injection molding process makes manufacturing economically viable despite the complex geometry.
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 reduces flow resistance and noise, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the cooling process by guiding air flow smoothly and reducing turbulence, thus improving the cooling performance of the motor vehicle's internal combustion engine.
Implementation Method 1
the fan wheel of the fan, the air is sucked through the radiator network and directed to the combustion engine
Implementation Method 2
there, the air absorbs excess heat from the combustion engine and transports it away
Implementation Method 3
the air hits the internal combustion engine essentially bluntly and is deflected by it, for example by 90°. As a result, turbulence occurs, which leads to an increase in flow resistance
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a fan shroud (14) of a motor vehicle (2), comprising a shroud body (20) which has a round air passage opening (22) for a fan wheel (38). The fan shroud (14) further comprises a motor mount (32) which is arranged above the air passage opening (22) and is connected to a mounting boss (26) by means of a strut (30). The mounting boss (26) is connected to the shroud body (20) and is oriented perpendicular to it. The outer radial end (50) of the mounting boss (26) with respect to the air passage opening (22) has a varying distance from the center point of the air passage opening (22). The invention further relates to a radiator fan (8) of a motor vehicle (2).