Vehicle cooling system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle cooling systems are hindered by the weight-transmitting connection between the blower device and housing, leading to increased dead weight and a suboptimal fluidic design due to the need for thick walls and additional struts, which compromises mechanical resistance and airflow efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A support device is designed to transmit the weight of the blower device exclusively to the cooling air-coolant liquid heat exchanger, allowing for reduced wall thicknesses and material usage, while maintaining mechanical resistance, and enabling a fluidically optimized fan housing design by separating the weight transmission from the blower housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the blower unit is connected to the blower housing in a weight-transmitting manner, then mechanical resistance is ensured, but the weight of the vehicle cooling system increases and fluidic design is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical resistanceVSAvoidweight of vehicle cooling system
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into two functional parts: a carrier device that provides mechanical support and weight transmission, and a blower housing that provides fluidic guidance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The weight-transmitting function is extracted from the blower housing and transferred to a separate carrier device. This extraction allows the blower housing to be designed purely for fluidic purposes without the constraint of supporting the blower unit's weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the blower unit is connected to the blower housing in a weight-transmitting manner, then mechanical stability is ensured, but the design of the blower housing is compromised between mechanical strength and fluidic design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidfluidic design freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a carrier device for mechanical stability and a blower housing for fluidic design. The carrier device handles all weight-bearing functions while the blower housing focuses exclusively on optimizing air flow paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical support function is extracted from the blower housing design, allowing the housing to be freely shaped for optimal fluidic performance without being constrained by mechanical strength requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If additional bracing is added to create a weight-transmitting connection, then mechanical resistance is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical resistanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier device merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, transmits weight, and positions the blower unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate bracing elements while maintaining mechanical integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier device is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs mechanical support, weight transmission, and spatial positioning functions, replacing what would otherwise require multiple separate structural elements.

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 approach reduces the overall weight and material costs of the vehicle cooling system, allows for a more efficient airflow design, and enhances mechanical stability by distributing the weight effectively, resulting in a compact and space-optimized cooling system.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling air-coolant heat exchanger through which the cooling air flow can flow for cooling a cooling liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3981662A1Vehicle cooling system
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 MAHLE INT GMBH
  • EP3981662A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3981662A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3981662A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a vehicle cooling system (1) and a support device (7) for a vehicle cooling system (1). The present invention is based on the general concept of designing a support device (7) for mounting a blower device (2) of the vehicle cooling system (1) such that the support device (7) is arranged to transmit the weight of the blower device (2) exclusively to a cooling air-coolant heat exchanger (6) of the vehicle cooling system (1).