HVAC Motor Support With H-Shaped Elastomer Pads for Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor mounts for HVAC systems in vehicles fail to provide sufficient mechanical endurance and effective vibration isolation, leading to potential breakage and noise transmission.

Innovation Solution

A motor support design featuring coaxial rings with elastomeric pads and studs shaped like an 'H', having specific ratios and dimensions, to enhance decoupling and reduce vibration transmission while maintaining low resonance frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a decoupling element is used between the inner and outer rings to limit vibration transmission, then vibration isolation is improved, but the decoupling element may breakage due to repeated movement over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidmechanical endurance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The decoupling element is made of elastomeric material, which combines the properties of rubber-like flexibility for vibration isolation with high mechanical endurance and resistance to fatigue from repeated movements, preventing premature breakage while maintaining effective vibration damping

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies precise geometric parameters for the pads including the ratio A/B ≥ 1.4 and A/D ≥ 2, where these dimensional ratios optimize the structural configuration to enhance both vibration isolation performance and mechanical durability under repeated stress cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the decoupling element allows significant relative movement between inner and outer rings, then vibration isolation is improved, but the element deteriorates prematurely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric material provides a combination of flexibility to accommodate significant relative movement for vibration isolation and high fatigue resistance to prevent deterioration over extended service periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The decoupling element is designed with sufficient thickness C ≥ 10 mm to provide adequate cushioning capacity from the outset, allowing it to absorb and dissipate vibration energy over its entire service life without premature deterioration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the pads have specific geometric ratios (A/B ≥ 1.4 and A/D ≥ 2), then mechanical endurance is improved, but the natural frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical enduranceVSAvoidnatural frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines specific geometric parameter ranges including ratios A/B ≥ 1.4 and A/D ≥ 2, along with thickness constraints (10-20 mm), to optimize the balance between structural strength for mechanical endurance and dimensional proportions that maintain low natural frequency characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The H-shaped pad geometry with specific web and arm dimensions creates local structural characteristics that enhance strength where needed while maintaining overall flexibility and low natural frequency through the optimized ratio relationships between different portions of the pad structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design reinforces the decoupling element, preventing premature deterioration and reducing noise in the vehicle compartment by effectively isolating vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

a decoupling means between the two coaxial rings comprising a plurality of pads made of elastomeric material, interposed between the inner ring and the outer ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

each pad having a shape substantially in the shape of an 'H'

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3991277B1Motor support for a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning device for motor vehicles
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 VALEO ELECTRIFICATION
  • EP3991277B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3991277B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3991277B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The motor support (16) comprises an inner ring (20) able to receive an element of the motor and an outer ring (22) able to be fastened to a housing, and a means (24) of decoupling between the two coaxial rings (20; 22) comprising a plurality of pads (46) of elastomer material that are interposed between the inner ring (20) and the outer ring (22). Each pad (46) is substantially "H"-shaped in form. The two arms (46int, 46ext; 461, 462) of the « H » are separated by a distance B. Each arm (46int, 46ext; 461, 462) has a width D measured in the radial direction. The web (46a) of the "H" has a width A measured in the orthoradial direction. The ratio A/B is greater than or equal to 1.4, and the ratio A/D is greater than or equal to 2.