Aerodynamic Stator Strut Leading Edge Design for Vehicle Cooling Fans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle cooling fan systems have low aerodynamic efficiency, leading to suboptimal air flow and power consumption, with existing designs failing to effectively enhance air flow through the fan blades and stator struts, resulting in inefficient cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of aerodynamically designed stator struts with jagged or toothed leading edges, featuring grooves or bumps, and potentially nanostructured surfaces to reduce friction and improve air flow efficiency, inspired by biological designs or determined through simulation and trial.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional smooth leading edges are used on stator struts, then manufacturing is simple, but aerodynamic efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface characteristics to different regions of the stator struts. The leading edges feature jagged or toothed patterns while other surfaces remain smooth, creating localized aerodynamic enhancements without complicating the entire structure. This allows the struts to have region-specific properties optimized for their functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces curved and contoured surfaces on the stator struts, including cylindrical portions and curved leading edges, replacing traditional flat or angular designs. These curved surfaces optimize airflow patterns around the struts, reducing turbulence and improving aerodynamic efficiency while maintaining manufacturability through standard forming processes.
2Productivity
If aerodynamic features like jagged edges and grooves are added to stator struts, then air flow efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic features are concentrated specifically on the leading edges and airflow-exposed surfaces of the stator struts, while other portions remain simple and unadorned. This localized application of complexity ensures that the aerodynamic benefits are achieved without unnecessarily complicating the entire strut structure or manufacturing process.
3Loss of energy
If smooth surfaces are used on stator struts, then friction is low, but air flow enhancement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts what would normally be considered harmful turbulence and friction into beneficial airflow enhancement. The jagged leading edges and surface grooves intentionally create controlled turbulence that energizes the boundary layer and prevents flow separation, ultimately improving overall airflow efficiency and power output despite the increased local friction.
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 design enhances the aerodynamic efficiency of the cooling fan system, improving air flow and overall module efficiency by reducing friction and optimizing air power output while maintaining low electrical power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The leading surfaces of the struts comprise an aerodynamic design or pattern or structure established thereat
Implementation Method 2
improve air flow efficiency by reducing friction and optimizing air power output
Data Source
AI summary
An axial cooling fan for a vehicle includes an electrically powered motor operable to rotate fan blades to move air to cool a component or accessory of the vehicle. A stator is at the motor and has a plurality of struts that fixedly support the motor at the vehicle. The struts of the stator include leading edge surfaces that generally face air that is flowing towards the struts and past the struts and stator, such as when the motor is powered to rotate the fan blades. The leading edge surfaces of the struts comprise an aerodynamic design or pattern or structure established thereat, such as a toothed pattern or structure at the leading edge surfaces of the struts.