Motor Vehicle Lighting Fan Mount With 3-Axis Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fans for motor vehicle lighting devices transmit vibrations from the frame to the housing, leading to undesirable noise generation, particularly in electric vehicles with minimal engine noise.

Innovation Solution

The frame is form-lockingly fastened to the housing using compliance elements that provide elastic flexibility along three spatial axes, absorbing vibrational excitations and damping noise without rigid screw joints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rigid screw joints are used to attach the frame to the housing, then the attachment is robust and stable, but vibrations are transmitted from the frame to the housing, causing undesirable noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces compliance elements as intermediary components between the frame and housing. These elements act as mediators that decouple the rigid connection, allowing the frame to be securely attached while preventing vibration transmission. The compliance elements absorb mechanical vibrations through their elastic properties, thus eliminating the noise problem while maintaining attachment stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the connection by transitioning from rigid screw joints to elastic compliance elements. This parameter change allows the connection to maintain stability through elastic deformation while simultaneously reducing vibration transmission. The compliance elements have specific elastic moduli and geometric parameters designed to optimize both attachment strength and vibration damping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If compliance elements are used to damp vibrations, then noise is reduced, but the attachment robustness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidattachment strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The compliance elements are designed as composite structures combining materials with different mechanical properties. This allows the elements to provide both elastic compliance for vibration damping and sufficient strength for robust attachment. The composite design enables the connection to exhibit both softness for vibration absorption and hardness for structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-generated harmful factors

If multiple compliance elements are used to damp vibrations along three spatial axes, then vibration damping is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration dampingVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compliance elements are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide attachment, damp vibrations in multiple directions, and maintain positional stability. Each compliance element is a multi-functional component that replaces several separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving comprehensive vibration damping along three spatial axes.

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

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

Significantly suppresses noise generation by dissipating vibrations as mechanical work for elastic deformation of compliance elements, ensuring robust fixation and quiet operation.

Implementation Method 1

compliance elements, which are in pre-loaded contact with the frame, and which are designed for damping of vibrations of the frame along three spatial axes... dissipating vibrations as mechanical work for elastic deformation of compliance elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

designed for damping of vibrations of the frame... dissipating vibrations as mechanical work for elastic deformation of compliance elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4314566B1Fan for a lighting device of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 HELLA GMBH & CO KGAA
  • EP4314566B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4314566B1 patent drawingFigure 1c
  • EP4314566B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a fan (100) for a lighting device of a motor vehicle, at least comprising an impeller (1), a frame (2), and a housing (3), wherein the impeller (1) is rotatably mounted on the frame (2), and wherein the housing is mountable on the lighting device. According to the invention the frame (2) is form-lockingly fastened to the housing (3), wherein the housing (3) features compliance elements (31, 32, 33), which are in preloaded contact with the frame (2), and which are designed for robust fixing of the fan and damping of vibrations of the frame (2) along three spatial axes (X, Y, Z).