Motor Support Cooling Channel with Airflow-Splitting Protrusion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorized fan units in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems face challenges in optimizing cooling performance and ventilation efficiency while maintaining ease of assembly, particularly due to the design of cooling channels that can hinder installation and create turbulence.

Innovation Solution

A motor support with a base structure featuring a cooling channel and protrusions that split the air flow, creating turbulence and increasing speed, combined with a venturi effect and strategically placed orifices to manage airflow, enhances cooling and ventilation performance without complicating assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a cooling channel is designed to guide air flow towards the motor or control module, then cooling performance is improved, but the design may hinder simple mounting of the motorized fan unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidmounting simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling channel is segmented into multiple sections: an inlet section, a protrusion section that divides the flow, and an outlet section. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently for both cooling efficiency and manufacturability, with standardized connection interfaces that simplify assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If the cooling channel is designed to optimize cooling performance, then heat dissipation is improved, but ventilation performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidventilation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Different sections of the cooling channel have different geometric properties optimized for their specific functions: the inlet section has a larger cross-section for high flow capacity, the protrusion section creates controlled turbulence for heat transfer enhancement, and the outlet section is optimized for discharge. This local optimization allows simultaneous improvement of cooling and ventilation performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling channel design incorporates dynamic flow management through the protrusion that actively divides and redirects air flow based on operational conditions, creating adaptive turbulence that enhances cooling without permanently restricting overall ventilation capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If air flow is diverted towards the motor support for cooling, then motor cooling is improved, but the air flow speed may decrease causing turbulence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor coolingVSAvoidair flow speed

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion in the cooling channel intentionally generates controlled turbulence and flow disturbances that increase mixing and heat transfer coefficients. This mechanical disruption of laminar flow, while reducing average speed, dramatically improves convective heat transfer from the motor surfaces to the cooling air

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling channel design changes flow parameters along its length: velocity decreases while pressure increases as air moves through the channel, with the protrusion creating localized regions of high turbulence intensity. These parameter variations are optimized to maximize heat transfer while maintaining adequate flow rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improves cooling efficiency of motors and control modules by optimizing airflow dynamics, reducing turbulence, and maintaining overall ventilation performance, thus ensuring effective heat dissipation and smooth installation.

Implementation Method 1

the protrusion makes it possible to create turbulence and increase the speed of the air flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

a cooling channel for conducting the diverted air flow... for cooling the motor and/or the control module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20260002548A1Motor support and motorised fan unit for a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system of a corresponding vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 VALEO SYST THERMIQUES SAS

AI summary

A motor support for a motor for driving a fan impeller of a motorized fan unit for a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle is disclosed herein. The motor support includes a base having an internal structure and defining a cooling channel around the internal structure, in which channel an air flow is intended to circulate. The cooling channel includes at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet. The internal structure has a protrusion which is arranged facing the air inlet, the protrusion extending from the internal structure towards the air inlet so as to divide the air flow which is intended to come from the air inlet and circulate in the cooling channel.