Motor Support Closure Means for Fan Unit Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for holding electric motors in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installations are not optimized for effective cooling, as they allow a portion of the air flow to bypass the motor casing, reducing the cooling efficiency, especially in installations with double turbine fan motor units where dedicated cooling channels are difficult to create.

Innovation Solution

A motor support device with closure means arranged between the electric motor and the housing, creating an obstacle to air flow and enhancing circulation through the motor for improved cooling, using complementary parts or inserts made of materials like foam, elastomer, or rigid and flexible plastics to form a labyrinth or pressure drop mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling channels are formed to divert air flow for motor cooling, then motor cooling is improved, but air flow efficiency deteriorates because residual air flow bypasses the motor casing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor temperatureVSAvoidair flow efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful bypass air flow path by introducing closure means (baffles or inserts) that block the direct path between air supply and exhaust. This forces the air flow to pass through the motor casing for cooling, eliminating the wasteful bypass route while maintaining cooling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Temperature

If a closed electric motor support with dedicated cooling channels is used, then motor cooling is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor temperatureVSAvoidmotor support structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the motor support structure into modular components: a base support and separate closure means (baffles or inserts). This segmentation allows the cooling function to be added without redesigning the entire motor support, reducing overall device complexity while achieving effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure means act as intermediary elements inserted between the air supply and exhaust. These simple baffle or insert structures mediate the air flow path without requiring complex integrated cooling channels, thereby improving cooling while minimizing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If air flow is allowed to bypass the motor casing, then air flow resistance is reduced, but cooling efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow rateVSAvoidmotor temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary anti-action by placing closure means (baffles or inserts) in advance to prevent the bypass air flow path. This pre-blockage ensures that air flow must pass through the motor casing for cooling before reaching the exhaust, preventing the harmful bypass effect while maintaining acceptable air flow rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-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

The solution ensures that air flow is directed through the electric motor, effectively cooling it by creating a pressure drop and improving air circulation, thereby enhancing the cooling efficiency and temperature reduction of the motor.

Implementation Method 1

creating an obstacle to the passage of an air flow between the electric motor and the wall of the receiving housing... create an obstacle to the passage of an air flow... creating a pressure drop and improving air circulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

the air flow will favor circulation through the electric motor, thus contributing to its cooling... ensure that air flow is directed through the electric motor, effectively cooling it by creating a pressure drop and improving air circulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2102970B1Motor-driven fan unit with improved cooling
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 VALEO SYST THERMIQUES SAS
  • EP2102970B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2102970B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2102970B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (40) for retaining an electric motor (16) that comprises a housing (41) for accommodating the electric motor (16), the housing having a wall (42), characterized in that closure means (60, 62; 72, 74, 76; 80) are arranged between the electric motor (16) and the wall (42) of the housing (41).