Vertical Stacked Air Compressor Unit for Vehicle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air compressor units for vehicles require large installation areas due to their longitudinal configuration, which increases the space needed for mounting on vehicles, both under the floor and on the roof, and further expands when multiple units are installed.

Innovation Solution

The air compressor unit is designed with the air compressor and electric motor arranged vertically one above the other, along with a compact cooling system that includes axial fans and a centrifugal blower, reducing the necessary installation area by eliminating the need for separate power sources and power transmission mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If air compressors and drive motors are coupled in series, then each air compressor can be driven by its own motor, but the dimension of the air compressor unit becomes long and the installation area increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent drive capabilityVSAvoidinstallation area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a longitudinal series arrangement to a vertical stacked configuration. Multiple air compressors and drive motors are arranged one above another, utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal footprint. This dimensional change allows the unit to maintain independent drive capability while significantly reducing the installation area on vehicle roofs or other surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If a large and wide area is allocated for installation, then the air compressor unit can be mounted on the vehicle, but the installation area on the vehicle increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting capabilityVSAvoidinstallation area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention rearranges components vertically to convert a two-dimensional horizontal layout into a three-dimensional vertical structure. This allows the air compressor unit to be mounted on vehicles with minimal horizontal space, enabling installation on various vehicle types without requiring large roof or floor areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If multiple air compressor units are installed in the vehicle, then the compressed air supply is increased, but the installation area further increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressed air supply capacityVSAvoidinstallation area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By stacking multiple air compressor units vertically, the patent enables increased compressed air supply capacity without proportionally increasing the horizontal installation area. Multiple units can be arranged in a compact vertical column, allowing several units to occupy the space of what would traditionally be required for a single unit, thereby improving productivity while minimizing space consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 effectively minimizes the installation area required for a single air compressor unit and multiple units, enhancing flexibility in vehicle rigging while maintaining efficient cooling and power utilization.

Implementation Method 1

an air compressor for compressing sucked air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a cooling fan for cooling the electric motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

a cooling device with two separate cooling units, one for the oil and another one for the after-cooler

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2949863B1Air compressor unit for vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 NABTESCO CORP
  • EP2949863B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2949863B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2949863B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air compressor unit for vehicle (2) includes an air compressor (13) for compressing sucked air, an electric motor (14) for driving the air compressor (13), an after-cooler (17) for cooling compressed air generated in the air compressor (13) and an after-cooler cooling fan (18) for generating cooling air for the after-cooler (17) by being driven by a drive force of the electric motor (14). The air compressor (13) and the electric motor (14) are arranged one above the other.