Modular Blower Arrangement for Compact Vehicle Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blower arrangements for motor vehicles are bulky, heavy, and inefficient, making them difficult to install in small spaces, particularly in hybrid vehicles with large batteries that require efficient cooling.
Innovation Solution
A modular blower arrangement comprising a first housing part for multiple fans with flow-through openings and a second housing part for directing output air, allowing for flexible fan placement and control, enabling efficient use of space and reducing weight and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple fans are arranged in a tray configuration, then fan replacement is easy and reliability is improved, but the device occupies excessive space and increases weight
Solution Approach 1:
The blower arrangement is segmented into a modular housing structure where multiple fans are integrated into a single compact unit. The housing is divided into a first housing part containing multiple fans with individual flow-through openings, and a second housing part directing output air. This segmentation allows multiple fans to be arranged efficiently in a reduced overall volume compared to separate tray configurations.
2Device complexity
If a single radial blower is used for ventilation, then the structure is simple, but it occupies too much space for installation in small vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single radial blower design to a multi-fan arrangement where fans can be positioned in different spatial orientations within the housing. The rotation axes of fan wheels can extend at angles to one another, utilizing three-dimensional space more efficiently to reduce the overall footprint while maintaining ventilation functionality.
3Volume of moving object
If multiple fans are used to distribute output, then space utilization is improved and weight is reduced, but individual fan control and replacement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure provides universal functionality by integrating multiple fans with individual flow-through openings and control capabilities within a single unit. Each fan can be independently controlled via a control bus and replaced individually through installation openings, combining the benefits of multiple fans with the simplicity of unified management.
4Volume of moving object
If fans are arranged in a compact configuration, then space is saved, but access for maintenance and replacement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with pre-positioned installation openings that provide direct access to each fan before any disassembly is required. These openings allow fans to be introduced and mounted adjacent to their associated flow-through openings, enabling maintenance personnel to quickly access and replace individual fans without dismantling the entire housing structure.
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 modular design allows for compact, adaptable, and efficient cooling solutions, enabling effective air flow management and energy savings by allowing individual fan control and easy replacement, suitable for various vehicle installations.
Implementation Method 1
a second housing part that is connected on one side to the first housing part on the side thereof having the at least one installation opening, and on the other side has an air exit opening
Data Source
AI summary
A blower arrangement having n fans, where n>1, has a housing arrangement for receiving said fans (24, 26, 28). The housing arrangement featuresa) a first housing part (22) having flow-through openings (76) that are each associated with one of the fans, and having at least one installation opening (78) through which a fan can be introduced into said first housing part (22) and can be mounted in the region of the associated flow-through opening (76); andb) a second housing part (40) that is connected, on one side, to the first housing part (22) on the side thereof having the at least one installation opening (78), and, on the other side, defines an air exit opening (42).