Vehicle Air Conditioner Demountable Blower Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning devices require disassembly of the dashboard and casing to remove the motor-fan unit, increasing intervention time and cost.

Innovation Solution

The casing features a lateral access opening aligned with the motor and turbine axis, allowing axial displacement for assembly or disassembly of the motor-fan unit without disassembling the dashboard, using a motor support with combined locking means and electrical connectors for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the motor-fan unit is removed by dismantling the volute and moving radially, then the motor-fan unit can be disassembled, but the dashboard and casing must be dismantled which increases intervention time and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of disassemblyVSAvoidIntervention time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the access path to the motor-fan unit into separate components: a removable air inlet duct and a fixed dashboard. This segmentation allows the air inlet duct to be detached for access while the dashboard remains intact, enabling maintenance without complete disassembly of surrounding structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the air inlet duct as a separate removable component from the main casing structure. This extracted component provides the necessary access path for radial removal of the motor-fan unit, allowing technicians to remove the duct temporarily for maintenance and then reinstall it, avoiding permanent modification or disassembly of the dashboard and main casing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the air inlet duct is made removable for assembly or disassembly, then access to the motor-fan unit is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of assembly or disassemblyVSAvoidStructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air inlet duct is segmented as a separate removable component from the main casing, allowing it to be detached and reattached without affecting the overall structural integrity. This segmentation provides operational access while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable air inlet duct serves multiple functions: it provides structural support as part of the casing, enables access for maintenance operations, and can be reinstalled to restore the complete air intake pathway. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering operational benefits without requiring fundamental structural redesign.

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

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 simplifies maintenance and replacement operations by enabling axial displacement of the motor-fan unit within the casing, reducing intervention time and cost while maintaining secure assembly.

Implementation Method 1

the motor-driven fan unit comprises one or two turbines driven in rotation by the electric motor and capable of pulsating the flow of air by centrifugal effect inside the two scrolls formed by the casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal effect: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP1800917B1Vehicle air conditioner comprising a demountable blower unit
Publication Date: 2009.12.30 VALEO SYST THERMIQUES SAS
  • EP1800917B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1800917B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP1800917B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The device has a case (10) delimiting an envelope (12), and a motor-fan system (14) received in the envelope in a mounting position. The system has an electric motor (16) for driving two turbines (18) disposed along a shaft. The turbines are received in two volutes (22) formed in the envelope. The case comprises an access opening (24) situated laterally in an end region of the envelope and in a direction of the common shaft of the turbines and motor.