Transverse HVAC Blower Layout for Low-Profile Dashboard Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning devices for motor vehicles have a large vertical space requirement, making it difficult to conceal them under the dashboard, especially when design considerations require free space between the driver and passenger legs.
Innovation Solution
A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning device with a blower wheel oriented in a transverse direction, positioned in the vertical space requirement of a first heat exchanger, and housed on the engine compartment side, allowing for a more horizontal distribution that minimizes both vertical and horizontal space requirements in the passenger compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning device is concealed under the dashboard between driver and passenger, then the device can be hidden, but the vertical space requirement increases and conflicts with design requirements for free space between legs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the blower wheel axis from a vertical orientation to a transverse orientation, changing the spatial dimension in which the air flow is generated. This dimensional change allows the device to achieve its cooling function while reducing vertical space occupation, as the air flow is now generated in a horizontal plane rather than vertically
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into two separate parts: a first part accommodating the blower wheel unit on the engine compartment side, and a second part accommodating the heat exchanger on the passenger compartment side. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned in different spatial zones, reducing the overall vertical footprint while maintaining functional integrity
2Device complexity
If the blower wheel is oriented in vertical direction, then air flow generation is simplified, but the vertical space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blower wheel axis is reoriented from vertical to transverse, changing the dimension of air flow generation from vertical to horizontal. This allows the device to maintain functional simplicity while occupying less vertical space, as the air flow path is now arranged in a horizontal plane
3Productivity
If the housing extends horizontally in passenger compartment to accommodate blower wheel, then air flow generation is effective, but the horizontal space footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into two parts located in different spatial zones: the blower wheel unit is positioned in the engine compartment side while the heat exchanger is positioned in the passenger compartment side. This segmentation concentrates the air flow generation function in a compact horizontal space while maintaining effective cooling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a transverse air flow path as an intermediary mechanism, where air is drawn in transversely, passed through the heat exchanger, and distributed to the passenger compartment. This intermediary flow path allows effective air flow generation without requiring large horizontal space occupation
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 configuration optimizes thermal efficiency by preserving the exchange surface and flow sections of the heat exchanger while reducing the overall spatial footprint, enabling effective air distribution without increasing the vertical space requirement.
Implementation Method 1
a blower wheel configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, oriented substantially in said transverse direction Y-Y′, and to generate the air flow tangentially in the direction of said first exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger and a unit for generating an air flow, said first exchanger extending in a direction close to said vertical direction Z-Z′ and a direction, referred to as transverse, Y-Y′, perpendicular to the vertical direction Z-Z′
Data Source
AI summary
Cooling module including a housing configured to accept a tangential-flow turbomachine having a turbine with at least one stage of blades forming a hollow cylinder, the turbomachine also having a motor configured to drive the rotation of the turbine, the motor including a stator and a rotor mounted with the ability to rotate about the stator. The stator of the motor is secured to the housing in such a way that the blades of the turbine are arranged circumferentially around the rotor of the motor, and in that the at least one stage of blades of the turbine is mechanically connected to the rotor of the motor so as to be driven in rotation thereby.