HVAC Motor Support Interface for Vehicle Volute Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor support assemblies for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installations in vehicles are not adaptable to different vehicle designs and require specific design for each application, leading to increased manufacturing costs and time for adaptation.

Innovation Solution

A motor support assembly with a connection part that forms an interface between the motor support and the volute, allowing for adaptation by varying the connection part's design while keeping other elements standardized, including a guide portion for cooling air flow to cool the motor and control module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the motor support assembly is designed specifically for each application, then the adaptation to different vehicle designs is achieved, but the manufacturing cost and design time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to different vehicle designsVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motor support assembly is divided into modular components: a standardized motor support unit and a configurable connection part. The connection part is further segmented into a mounting flange for the volute and an interface flange for the motor support, allowing independent design of each segment. This segmentation enables the core motor support assembly to remain standardized while only the connection part needs adaptation for different vehicle designs, reducing overall design complexity and manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the motor support assembly is designed specifically for each application, then the adaptation to different vehicle designs is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to different vehicle designsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The motor support assembly is designed with universal standardized components that can be used across different vehicle applications. The motor support unit, fan wheel housing, and sealing elements are standardized and interchangeable. Only the connection part (mounting flange and interface flange) varies between applications, allowing the majority of the assembly to be manufactured using the same processes and tools, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If the motor support assembly is designed specifically for each application, then the adaptation to different vehicle designs is achieved, but the design time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to different vehicle designsVSAvoiddesign time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The motor support assembly is pre-designed with standardized components and a modular structure that anticipates future adaptation needs. The connection part is designed as a separate, easily configurable module that can be adapted to different vehicle designs without redesigning the entire assembly. This preliminary structuring with standardized interfaces and modular components significantly reduces design time for new applications, as engineers only need to configure the connection part rather than redesign the complete motor support assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 easy adaptation of the motor support assembly to various heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installations, reducing manufacturing costs and time, and simplifying the motor support design by integrating the cooling function into the connection part.

Implementation Method 1

the connecting piece of which comprises at least one guide portion for guiding a cooling air flow having an air inlet at the level of the second face and opening at the level of the first face

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance:

Data Source

PatentEP3163091B1Engine mount assembly and corresponding heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 VALEO SYST THERMIQUES SAS
  • EP3163091B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3163091B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3163091B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Motor support assembly (1), for a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning installation, in particular for a motor vehicle, intended to be mounted at the level of a volute (2) of the heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning, the motor support assembly (1) comprising: - a motor (3), and - a motor support (11). According to the invention, the engine support assembly (1) further comprises a connecting piece (15'), on the one hand, assembled to the engine support (11) and, on the other hand, intended to be assembled to the volute (2), so as to form an interface between the motor support (11) and the volute (2), the connecting part (15') and the motor support (11) being produced by two separate parts.