Motor Vehicle Ventilation Shielding for Turbulence Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle cooling systems generate undesirable tonal noise due to air turbulence around the motor-fan unit's arms, which is difficult to mitigate without increasing device size, cost, or compromising mechanical strength.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of anti-turbulence shields in strategic locations within the air passage to prevent turbulence formation, specifically in areas of high airflow speeds, without altering the number of blades or arms, and occupying a minimal surface area to maintain performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the distance between the arms and the blades is increased to reduce noise, then the tonal noise is reduced, but the size of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetonal noiseVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

An anti-turbulence shield is introduced as an intermediary element between the fan blades and the arms. This shield redirects the airflow to follow the contour of the arm, preventing turbulence formation without requiring increased distance between components, thus reducing noise while maintaining compact device dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the number of blades is increased to distribute energy and reduce noise, then the tonal noise is reduced, but the manufacturing cost increases and airflow performance may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetonal noiseVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of modifying the fan blades themselves, the invention introduces an anti-turbulence shield as a separate component that addresses the noise issue. This approach avoids the costs and performance trade-offs associated with increasing blade count while still achieving noise reduction through airflow management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the number of arms is reduced or the shape of arms is changed to reduce noise, then the tonal noise is reduced, but the mechanical strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetonal noiseVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-turbulence shield serves as a non-intrusive intermediary that manages airflow without requiring changes to the arm structure. This preserves the original arm design and mechanical strength while still preventing turbulence-induced noise through strategic airflow redirection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Effectively reduces noise levels by minimizing turbulence while preserving the ventilation device's performance and structural integrity, offering a cost-effective solution that does not compromise airflow efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the airflow creates turbulence around the arms. This turbulence is the source of the noise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP3768540B1Ventilation device of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 VALEO SYST THERMIQUES SAS
  • EP3768540B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3768540B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3768540B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a ventilation device (20) of a motor vehicle, said ventilation device comprising: - an air passage (21) for air set in forced motion, in particular by suction, - at least one anti-turbulence shield (25; 26) arranged to be placed in the air passage at a chosen location so as to prevent turbulences from forming.