Structural Fan Shroud Mounting for Variable-Height Radiators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional frameless heat exchanger mounting designs are structurally vulnerable, particularly when dealing with heat exchangers of varying heights, as they require additional structural supports which can be prone to damage under normal vehicle use.
Innovation Solution
The use of a structural shroud that provides rigid mount support to heat exchangers, even when they have varying heights, by integrating a two-piece fan shroud with mounting brackets that attach the entire assembly to a vehicle, thereby reducing the need for extra structural supports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional frameless heat exchanger mounting designs are used, then the structure appears simpler, but the system becomes structurally vulnerable and requires additional supports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mounting bracket and fan shroud into a single integrated component. The fan shroud itself is designed with mounting capabilities, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets and additional structural supports. This integration resolves the contradiction by maintaining structural integrity through the unified design while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate components and supports.
2Adaptability or versatility
If heat exchangers of varying heights are mounted using conventional designs, then design flexibility is achieved, but structurally vulnerable extensions are required
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed with adjustable features that allow it to adapt to heat exchangers of varying heights. The bracket can be positioned at different locations along the fan shroud, providing the necessary flexibility for different heat exchanger heights without requiring additional structural extensions. This dynamic adjustability resolves the contradiction by maintaining strength through the robust bracket design while enabling height variation adaptability.
3Strength
If additional structural supports like struts or tie bars are added, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan shroud is designed to serve dual purposes: both as an airflow directing component and as a structural mounting element. The integrated design incorporates mounting capabilities directly into the shroud structure, eliminating the need for separate struts, tie bars, or additional structural supports. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining structural strength through the unified shroud-bracket design while reducing the total number of components.
4Reliability
If mounting brackets are used to join two-piece fan shroud, then structural integrity is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it joins the two pieces of the fan shroud together, provides structural support, and enables mounting to the vehicle. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional component, the design improves structural integrity while minimizing the number of parts needed, thus resolving the contradiction between assembly integrity and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A shroud assembly mounts a radiator to a vehicle frame. The shroud assembly includes a shroud, a first frame bracket for mounting the shroud to the vehicle frame, and a second frame bracket for mounting the shroud to the vehicle frame. The shroud includes a first shroud portion and a second shroud portion. The shroud assembly has a plurality of openings, each opening receiving a fan. The first mounting bracket connects the first shroud portion to the second shroud portion, and the second mounting bracket also connects the first shroud portion to the second shroud portion.