Vehicle HVAC Low-Mounted Blower Unit for Pressure Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing HVAC systems face challenges due to the limited space behind the dashboard, leading to congested packaging and potential high pressure build-up from compact expansion regions, which affects the airflow and performance.

Innovation Solution

A low-mounted blower unit configuration is introduced, where the blower unit is positioned below the evaporator and conditioning units, utilizing the dead space near the floorpan to create a linear expansion region for balanced airflow, thereby improving system performance and reducing pressure build-up.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the blower unit is positioned in the conventional location within the HVAC housing behind the dashboard, then the system can be integrated into the standard HVAC packaging, but the available space is limited and causes congested packaging with high pressure build-up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailable space for HVAC systemVSAvoidpressure build-up in expansion region

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The blower unit is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement within the HVAC housing to a vertical arrangement below the evaporator and conditioning units, utilizing the vertical space near the floorpan. This dimensional change transforms the congested horizontal packaging into a more spacious vertical configuration, eliminating pressure build-up while maintaining system integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the blower unit is positioned below the evaporator and conditioning units near the floorpan, then dead space is utilized and airflow expansion is improved, but the system requires vertical space allocation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow efficiencyVSAvoidvertical height of HVAC system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the blower unit at the top or within the conventional HVAC housing location, the design inverts the traditional arrangement by positioning it at the bottom near the floorpan. This inversion allows the air intake to occur from below, creating a natural upward airflow path through the evaporator and conditioning units, which improves airflow efficiency while utilizing previously wasted vertical space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This configuration enhances the HVAC system's performance by ensuring smooth airflow and utilizing otherwise unused space, resulting in improved airflow and reduced pressure within the system.

Implementation Method 1

The blower unit draws in fresh air into the HVAC system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The evaporator unit is disposed downstream from the blower unit and receives the air drawn in by the blower unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

The conditioning unit is disposed downstream from the evaporator unit, and conditions the air to a desired temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9662957B2Vehicle HVAC system with lower mounted blower unit

Publication Date: 2017.05.30 DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA INC

AI summary

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a vehicle may include a blower unit, an evaporator unit, and a conditioning unit. The blower unit includes a fan that draws in air into the HVAC system. The evaporator unit is downstream from the blower unit, and the air drawn in by the fan flows through an evaporator of the evaporator unit. The conditioning unit is downstream from the evaporator unit. The blower unit is disposed below the conditioning unit.