Motor Support Sealing Lip for Vehicle Blower Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ventilation, heating, and air conditioning systems in vehicles face limitations in flexibility during assembly and disassembly of the motor-fan unit, particularly due to space constraints caused by the steering column, which restricts maintenance and compatibility with vehicles of either left-hand or right-hand drive configurations.

Innovation Solution

A blower assembly featuring a motor support with a flexible sealing lip and interlocking mechanism that allows for diverse assembly and disassembly options, including attachment from either inside or outside the volute, facilitated by a ring that accommodates the motor support, enabling easy replacement and maintenance of the motor-fan unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the motor-fan assembly is mounted from inside the volute or from outside through the window, then the blower can be assembled, but the disassembly requires the same complex round trip movement which is time-consuming and restrictive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidtime for maintenance operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by allowing the motor-fan assembly to be removed from the opposite side (outside the volute) rather than requiring removal through the same opening used for installation (inside the volute). The motor support is designed with a diameter smaller than the window opening, enabling extraction from the outside. This reverses the traditional assembly path and creates a more efficient disassembly route, eliminating the need for complex round trip movements and reducing maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the blower is designed for fixed mounting orientation, then assembly is straightforward, but it cannot accommodate vehicles with right-hand or left-hand drive configurations where the steering column position varies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different vehicle configurationsVSAvoidassembly procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the motor support with a diameter smaller than the window opening, enabling the motor-fan assembly to be installed and removed from multiple orientations and positions. This universal design allows the same blower unit to be adapted to different vehicle configurations (right-hand drive, left-hand drive) without requiring complex assembly procedures, as the steering column position no longer constrains the removal path.

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

3Reliability

If the motor support diameter is made equal to or larger than the window opening for stable mounting, then the motor-fan assembly is securely fixed, but it cannot be removed from outside the volute during maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidease of maintenance access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the motor support diameter to be smaller than the window opening. This parameter adjustment maintains sufficient mounting stability while enabling the motor-fan assembly to be freely inserted and removed from outside the volute. The diameter reduction creates the necessary clearance for maintenance operations without compromising the reliability of the mounting connection during normal operation.

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

This solution enhances flexibility and ease of maintenance by allowing the motor-fan unit to be assembled and disassembled in the same direction, reducing the complexity of operations and accommodating various vehicle configurations, while ensuring a perfect seal and efficient airflow.

Implementation Method 1

The motor support is provided with at least one flexible sealing lip capable of deforming when the motor support passes through the ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2282063B1Unity comprising a motor support and a ring carrying the motor support
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 VALEO SYST THERMIQUES SAS
  • EP2282063B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2282063B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2282063B1 patent drawingFigure 6~10

AI summary

The assembly has a motor support (13) for receiving a motor, and a ring (41) for receiving the motor support, where diameter of the motor support is smaller than diameter of the ring. The motor support is provided with a flexible sealing lip (20) made of elastomer material and adapted to be deformed during passage of the motor support through the ring. The sealing lip is placed on an external face (24) of a crown (25). The external face of the crown is provided with an interlocking body (26). An independent claim is also included for a method for assembling and disassembling a motor support and ring assembly.