Flexible Air Guide for Fan-to-Heat Exchanger Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems face challenges in achieving a fluid-tight connection between fan and heat exchanger housings with optimal flow conditions and reduced noise levels, requiring customized designs that incur high manufacturing costs and stability issues.
Innovation Solution
A cooler design featuring a flexible, rubber-elastic air guide element connecting the fan and heat exchanger housings, allowing for adaptable and stable airflow direction while maintaining rigid housings, with optional sound-dampening properties and electrostatic protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid connecting channel is designed for each specific fan and heat exchanger size and shape, then fluid-tight connection and stable flow conditions are achieved, but manufacturing costs and planning complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting channel is made from rubber-elastic material that can change its shape and dimensions to adapt to different fan and heat exchanger configurations. The material's elasticity allows it to be molded into various forms while maintaining fluid-tight seals, eliminating the need for customized rigid channels for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible rubber-elastic connecting channel instead of rigid structures. This flexible shell can deform and adapt to different geometries of fan and heat exchanger housings, providing both fluid-tight connection and flow stability across various applications without requiring customized designs.
2Ease of manufacture
If a flexible material is used for the connecting channel to reduce manufacturing costs, then manufacturing complexity decreases, but stability and structural integrity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber-elastic material's physical parameters allow it to maintain structural stability while being flexible. The material can be manufactured in standardized forms yet adapts to different applications through elastic deformation, combining ease of manufacture with structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of rubber-elastic material represents a composite approach that combines flexibility with structural stability. The material properties are engineered to provide both the needed flexibility for standardized manufacturing and the stability required for reliable operation in cooling systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If existing rigid connecting channels are used, then structural stability is maintained, but noise levels and flow conditions are not optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible rubber-elastic connecting channel acts as a vibration damper, absorbing mechanical vibrations from the fan and heat exchanger. This flexibility reduces noise transmission while maintaining structural stability and optimizing flow conditions through smooth, adaptable surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connecting channel serves as an intermediary element between rigid components, mediating vibration and noise transmission. Its elastic properties allow it to absorb and dampen vibrations while maintaining the structural integrity of the overall cooling system.
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
Enables cost-effective, versatile, and stable airflow transitions with reduced noise and improved flow conditions, suitable for various applications including engine compartments, while ensuring durability and low wear.
Implementation Method 1
the air guide element is formed from a flexible, rubber-elastic material and is bendable
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooler (1), comprising: a fan having a substantially rigid fan housing (4) which encloses a fan air-flow space (9); a heat exchanger having a substantially rigid heat-exchanger housing (6) which encloses a heat-exchanger air-flow space (12); and an air-guide element (2) which connects the fan air-flow space (9) inside the fan housing (4) to the heat-exchanger air-flow space (12) inside the heat-exchanger housing (6) in a substantially fluid-tight manner. The air-guide element (2) is formed from a flexible, in particular rubber-elastic, material, and at least one rigid connection (14) is provided between the fan housing (4) and the heat-exchanger housing (6).