Refrigeration system stator mount

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing evaporator fans in transport refrigeration systems are inefficient in airflow delivery, leading to suboptimal cooling performance.

Innovation Solution

A mounting bracket system for the stator assembly of an axial flow fan, which includes a stator hub, shroud, and vanes, is designed to enhance airflow efficiency by optimizing the fan's positioning and airflow path within the refrigeration unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the existing evaporator fan and bracket configuration is used, then the结构简单性 (structural simplicity) is maintained, but the airflow efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow efficiencyVSAvoidmounting bracket structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is divided into multiple functional segments: a main bracket body, a stator hub, and integrated airflow guide features. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall structural coherence, thereby improving airflow efficiency without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stator assembly is merged with the mounting bracket through integration features where the stator hub is directly coupled to the bracket structure. This merging eliminates separate mounting components and optimizes the airflow path by combining structural support and airflow guidance into a unified design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If the fan positioning is not optimized, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the cooling performance is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidfan positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket incorporates pre-formed positioning features and alignment guides that are integrated into the bracket structure during manufacturing. These preliminary positioning elements ensure accurate fan alignment without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving optimal cooling performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The design optimizes specific geometric parameters of the mounting bracket, such as the angle and position of support surfaces, to precisely control fan positioning. By carefully selecting these parameters during the design phase, the system achieves optimal cooling performance through standard manufacturing processes without requiring excessive precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4303046B1Refrigeration system stator mount
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 CARRIER CORP
  • EP4303046B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4303046B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4303046B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A transport refrigeration unit including a fan and nozzle unit (40), a heat exchanger coil, and an axial fan (44) having a vertically oriented fan axis, wherein the axial fan (44) is positioned within the fan and nozzle unit (40) to draw air through the heat exchanger coil and discharge the air vertically upwards, a mounting bracket (70) is used to mount the axial fan (44) in the fan and nozzle unit (40), the mounting bracket (70) includes a main support member having an opposing first surface and second surface and a through hole and at least one sidewall integrally formed with and extending from the second surface and the at least one sidewall has a smooth front surface and a curvature of the front surface facilitates flow towards a fan inlet.