DE102021200577A1 - Throttle element and fan assembly for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fan arrangement (10) for a vehicle (30). The blower arrangement (10) comprises an air conditioner (12) with an air outlet duct (14), a vent (16) which is connected to the air outlet duct of the air conditioner, and a throttle element (18) which is connected between the air conditioner (12) and the vent (16) is arranged and is set up to reduce a mass flow (100) from the air outlet duct (14) to the vent (16). The throttle element (18) has an acoustically active element (20) on a side facing the air conditioning system (12). The invention also relates to a throttle element (18) and a vehicle (30).

Description

The present invention relates to a fan arrangement for a vehicle and a throttle element for reducing a mass flow for a fan arrangement. The invention is thus in the field of vehicle technology, in particular in the field of vehicle air conditioning and fan arrangements.

In order to air-condition the passenger compartment or the vehicle interior of a vehicle, air-conditioning systems are known in the prior art which regulate the temperature of the air which is then supplied to the passenger compartment via one or more vents. In order to achieve high ventilation and air conditioning performance, very high air mass flows, also referred to below as mass flows for short, may be required. In the area of the blower arrangement, this can sometimes require high flow speeds and correspondingly high turbulent kinetic energies of the mass flow. These often lead to unwanted noise, which is audible in the passenger compartment for the occupants and can be perceived as annoying by some.

Accordingly, there are efforts to reduce the noise caused by a high mass flow. For example, an approach is known in the prior art to achieve a noise reduction by adding an air return duct in the area of the throttle or housing tongue. Such a fan is, for example, in the publication DE 100 29 546 A1 described.

It is also known from the prior art to provide the vent, via which the supplied air enters the passenger compartment, with a sound-absorbing element in order to reduce the noise caused by the vent. Such a sound-absorbing element is, for example, in DE 20 2013 105 639 U1 described.

Especially in vehicles that have a particularly low-noise drive, such as motor vehicles with an electric drive, even noises that are already reduced and are caused by the mass flow can be clearly heard in the passenger compartment, since the low level of surrounding background noise only masks these noises to a small extent .

It is the object of the invention to provide an alternative fan arrangement which makes it possible to reduce the noise caused by the fan arrangement during operation.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a fan arrangement, a throttle element and a vehicle having the features of the respective independent claim. Advantageous configurations are specified in the dependent claims and in the description.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a fan assembly for a vehicle. The blower arrangement includes an air conditioner with an air outlet duct and a vent which is connected to the air outlet duct of the air conditioner. In addition, the blower arrangement includes a throttle element which is arranged between the air conditioning system and the vent and is set up to reduce a mass flow from the air outlet duct to the vent. The throttle element has an acoustically active element on a side facing the air conditioning system.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a throttle element for reducing a mass flow for a fan arrangement of a vehicle, the throttle element having an acoustically effective element on a side facing the inflowing mass flow.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle which comprises a blower arrangement according to the invention and/or a throttle element according to the invention.

A fan arrangement is an arrangement for providing ventilation, in particular of a passenger compartment or a vehicle interior. In addition to the air conditioning system, the vent and the throttle element, the blower arrangement can optionally also have other elements, such as impellers provided with blades to promote the mass flow.

An air conditioner is an element of the blower arrangement that generates the mass flow. In other words, the air conditioner is an element of the fan arrangement that generates the air flow. Optionally, the air conditioner can have a functionality for temperature control of the air or the mass flow, i.e. the air conditioner can be designed to at least partially heat and/or cool the mass flow.

The air outlet duct is an air-conveying section of the blower arrangement, through which the mass flow leaving the air-conditioning system flows and is directed to the one or proportionally to a plurality of different vents. The fact that the vent is connected to the air outlet duct means that at least a part of the mass flow flowing through the air outlet duct reaches the vent.

The throttle element is a structural element that reduces the mass flow that flows from the air outlet duct to the vent. For this purpose, the throttle element can represent a structural obstacle that partially blocks and/or deflects the mass flow so that it no longer reaches the outflow vent, but only a reduced, remaining portion of the mass flow reaches the outflow vent. The throttle element can be designed to be movable in order to be able to variably influence the reduction of the mass flow. However, the throttle element is preferably designed to be rigid and fixed in position.

The mass flow is an air mass flow, which is guided, conditioned and optionally made available by the fan arrangement.

An acoustically effective element within the meaning of the invention is an element which has a sound-absorbing and/or sound-damping effect. In particular, an acoustically effective element is able to reduce or even completely prevent the formation and/or propagation of acoustic waves and in this way to reduce or prevent the development of noise. Optionally, an acoustically effective element is designed to at least partially reduce flow and/or pressure fluctuations of a mass flow flowing against the acoustically effective element by extracting energy from it.

The invention offers the advantage that a particularly effective noise reduction can be achieved since the acoustically effective element is provided at a point in the blower arrangement which is directly hit by the mass flow. This achieves a particularly high level of effectiveness of the acoustically effective element, since it acts on the mass flow at a point at which a high degree of air turbulence and/or flow fluctuations typically occurs in the mass flow and at which the turbulent kinetic energy of the mass flow is optionally particularly large . In other words, the invention enables the noise reduction to be particularly effective by providing an acoustically effective element at a point in the blower arrangement at which the mass flow coming directly from the air conditioning system causes or has the greatest air turbulence and/or flow noise.

The invention thus offers the advantage that a large gain in noise reduction is made possible with minor structural modifications and at low cost.

As a result, the invention can be integrated into a blower arrangement without far-reaching structural changes.

Optionally, the acoustically effective element covers at least that part of the throttle element which, during operation of the blower arrangement, is subjected to a direct flow of a mass flow flowing through the air outlet duct. Optionally, the acoustically effective element completely covers this area. This offers the effect that the acoustically effective element is reliably provided at that point at which it can have the greatest effect.

Optionally, the acoustically effective element also at least partially covers that part of the throttle element which, during operation of the fan arrangement, faces the mass flow flowing out of the throttle element. Although the acoustically effective element is not directly affected by the mass flow at this point, i.e. not essentially frontally and/or in a non-distracted manner, turbulence and pressure fluctuations can also occur on the lee side of the throttle element due to the mass flow flowing past, which can occur at the applied side of the throttle element can lead to undesirable noise. This can also be reduced or avoided at this point by providing an acoustically effective element.

The throttle element is optionally designed as an integral part of a fan housing, in particular as a housing tongue. This offers the advantage that it can be designed as part of the fan housing and no further, separate component has to be provided for the throttle. In other words, the blower housing can be designed or shaped in such a way that it has a throttle between the air conditioner and the vent.

Optionally, the acoustically effective element is at least partially rigid and has a plurality of recesses. This offers the advantage that, optionally, the acoustically effective element can be made of the same rigid material, for example a hard plastic, as the fan housing itself the acoustically effective element are provided. This simplifies manufacturability and manufacturing costs for the fan housing. For example, the rigid acoustically effective element be at least partially made of polypropylene and / or polyethylene.

Optionally, the acoustically effective element is designed as a perforated grid. A perforated grid is a rigid, acoustically effective element with a plurality of through-holes introduced therein. The through holes are characterized in that they represent recesses which extend through the entire thickness of the acoustically active element. The through-holes can, for example, have a round, elliptical or polygonal cross-sectional shape, with combinations of through-holes with different cross-sectional shapes also being possible. The holes can also have a line shape. The holes can be arranged regularly or irregularly. The perforated grid offers the advantage that it gives the acoustically effective element a sound-damping and/or sound-absorbing effect. In addition, the perforated grid offers the advantage that it can be provided with little manufacturing effort. The perforated grid is optionally arranged at a distance from the throttle element, so that a space through which air can flow is created between the perforated grid and the throttle element. This is advantageous for the sound-damping or sound-absorbing effect of the perforated grid. For example, a spacer can be formed between the perforated grid and the throttle element, wherein the spacer can be formed separately or in one piece with the perforated grid and/or the throttle element.

Optionally, the acoustically effective element is designed in one piece with the throttle element. In other words, the acoustically effective element optionally forms an integral part of the throttle element or part of the throttle element. This does not conflict with the fact that the throttle element can have other components with which the acoustically effective element is not designed in one piece. This offers the advantage that the number of components for the fan arrangement and, accordingly, the production costs can be kept low.

According to other optional embodiments, the acoustically effective element is at least partially made of a porous material and in particular is at least partially made of a foam material and/or a rubber material. This offers the advantage that a particularly great sound-insulating and/or sound-damping effect can be provided. This also offers the advantage that the acoustically effective element can be provided particularly cost-effectively and used flexibly. For example, an acoustically effective element made of foam and/or rubber material can be deformed in a simple manner and correspondingly easily adapted to the shape of the throttle element for attachment.

The acoustically effective element is optionally designed as a separate component and is attached to the throttle element and/or to the fan housing. For example, the acoustically effective element can be glued to the throttle element and/or connected in some other way, for example by means of a receptacle provided on the throttle element, in a positive and/or non-positive manner. Optionally, the acoustically effective element can also be screwed to the throttle element and/or to the fan housing and/or fastened with another fastening element.

A vehicle can be in the form of a land vehicle, aircraft or watercraft, for example. A land vehicle can be designed, for example, as a road vehicle or as a rail-bound vehicle. In particular, a vehicle may be an automobile, such as a passenger car, truck, or bus.

The features and embodiments mentioned above and explained below are not only to be regarded as disclosed in the combinations explicitly mentioned in each case, but are also covered by the disclosure content in other technically sensible combinations and embodiments.

Further details and advantages of the invention will now be explained in more detail using the following examples and preferred embodiments with reference to the figures.

• 1A und 1B: Gebläseanordnungen gemäß optionalen Ausführungsformen der Erfindung;
• 2A und 2B: eine Illustration der turbulenten kinetischen Energie und der Geschwindigkeitsverteilung des Massenstroms in einer Gebläseanordnung gemäß einer optionalen Ausführungsform;
• 3: ein Fahrzeug gemäß einer optionalen Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

Show it:

• 1A and 1B : fan arrangements according to optional embodiments of the invention;
• 2A and 2 B 1: an illustration of the turbulent kinetic energy and the velocity distribution of the mass flow in a fan arrangement according to an optional embodiment;
• 3 : a vehicle according to an optional embodiment of the invention.

In the following figures, the same or similar elements in the different embodiments are denoted by the same reference numbers for the sake of simplicity.

the 1A and 1B 12 each show a fan arrangement 10 according to an optional embodiment for a vehicle in schematic representations. Both blower assemblies 10 have an air conditioner 12 with an air outlet duct 14 and a vent 16 which is connected to the air outlet duct 14 of the air conditioner. In addition, the fan arrangements 10 have a fan housing 11 . In addition, both blower arrangements 10 have a throttle element 18 which is arranged between the air conditioning system 12 and the outflow vent 16 and reduces the mass flow or air mass flow which flows from the air conditioning system 12 via the air outlet duct 14 to the outflow vent 16 . Furthermore, both fan arrangements 10 have a deflection duct 19 in the area in front of the throttle element 18 , into which part of the mass flow is deflected, which is prevented from flowing to the outflow outlet 16 by the throttle element 20 . The deflected part of the mass flow can, for example, be fed back into the air conditioning system 12 and/or other vents (not shown).

The two embodiments shown differ from one another in that their throttle elements 18 have differently designed acoustically effective elements 20 . In the 1A The embodiment shown has an acoustically effective element 20 which is arranged only on the side facing the air conditioning system. In the 1 B The embodiment shown, on the other hand, has a throttle element 18 with an acoustically effective element 20, which not only extends over the side of the throttle element 12 facing the air conditioning system 12, but also on the side of the throttle element 18 facing away from the air conditioning system 12. The respective acoustically effective Elements 20 can be designed in one piece or in several parts.

In the 1A The fan arrangement 10 shown offers the advantage that the throttle element 18 is provided with an acoustically effective element 20 in particular where the throttle element 18 is directly affected by the inflowing mass flow and where the greatest turbulent kinetic energy and the greatest flow velocities of the mass flow at the throttle element 18 are expected. This makes it possible to particularly effectively reduce the occurrence of unwanted noises due to the mass flow flowing onto the throttle element 18, since the greatest noise development upon impact with the throttle element 18 is also to be expected at the location of the greatest kinetic energy and the greatest speed of the mass flow. The acoustically effective element 20 can achieve a sound-absorbing and/or sound-damping effect at precisely this point, as a result of which the generation of noise can then be particularly effectively reduced or avoided.

In addition to the effect of the acoustically effective element 20 from 1A indicates the throttle element 18 of the fan arrangement 10 1B a covering of the back of the throttle element 18 by an acoustically effective element 20, ie on that side which faces away from the air conditioning system 12 and the inflowing mass flow. In other words, according to this embodiment, the leeward side of the throttle element 18 is also covered with the acoustically effective element 20 . This offers the additional effect that noise development, which typically occurs as a result of pressure differences in the mass flow in an area downstream of the throttle element 18 , can also be reduced or avoided on the rear side of the throttle element 18 . Thus, the embodiment according to 1 B in addition to the advantages of the embodiment according to 1A the further advantage that the noise development can be further reduced. The acoustically effective element can optionally have rounded corners or edges, for example with a radius of curvature of at least 5 mm. This offers the advantage that sharp edges and the possible formation of turbulence at such edges or corners can be reduced or avoided.

the 2A and 2 B show a schematic cross-sectional view of a fan arrangement 10 according to a further optional embodiment with a representation of the spatial distributions of kinetic energy of the mass flow 100 ( 2A) and the velocity and direction of the mass flow 100 ( 2 B) in the fan assembly 10, which were determined by means of computer simulations.

The fan assembly 10 has according to in 1B Embodiment shown an air conditioner 12, an air outlet duct 14, a vent 16, a throttle element 18 and a deflection duct 19. The throttle element 18 is covered on the front and the back with an acoustically effective element.

2A shows the turbulent kinetic energy of the mass flow 100, with the gray value scale in the lower area of the 2A is specified. It can be seen here that the mass flow 100 flowing out of the air conditioning system 12 has a high level of turbulent kinetic energy, particularly in region 102, which is located on the front side of the throttle element 18, and in which part of the mass flow 100 flows through the throttle element 19 into the deflection duct 19 is deflected. The acoustically effective element 20 on the throttle element 18 causes absorption and/or damping of the sound, which is caused by the impact of the mass flow 100 on the throttle element in the area 102, so that the resulting noise is reduced or prevented.

2 B shows an example of the flow direction and speed of the mass flow 100 in the fan arrangement 10. The thickness of the arrows indicates the speed, with a large thickness of the respective arrow indicating a high speed. As expected, the mass flow 100 flows at high speed from the air conditioning system 12 into the air outlet duct 14. A first part of the mass flow 100 flows at high speed past the throttle element 18 in the direction of the vent 16. A second part of the mass flow 100, which flows directly at high speed, ie in the non-deflected direction of flow that impinges on the throttle element 18 is deflected by the throttle element 18 into the deflection channel 19 . In order to reduce noise development due to the parts of mass flow 100 hitting throttle element 19 at high speed, acoustically effective element 20 is arranged on the front side of throttle element 18, so that the formation and/or propagation of sound waves is reduced or prevented.

In an area after the throttle element 18, i.e. on the side of the throttle element 18 facing the outflow 16, an area can be seen in which there is a large gradient in the flow velocities. This is due to the part of the mass flow flowing past the throttle element 19 at high speed and the slowly flowing or even stationary part of the mass flow 100 behind the throttle element the back of the throttle element can also lead to unwanted noise. In order to reduce or prevent this, the acoustically effective element 20 also extends to the rear of the throttle element 18.

3 shows a vehicle 30 in a schematic representation, which is designed as a motor vehicle and in particular as a passenger car. Inside the vehicle 30, for example in the engine compartment and therefore not visible in the figure but only indicated by dashed lines, a blower arrangement 10 is formed, which is used to supply temperature-controlled air into the passenger compartment or vehicle interior 32. The fan arrangement 10 has an air conditioning system 12 which is arranged, for example, in the engine compartment of the vehicle 30 . The blower arrangement 10 also has one or more vents 18 via which the temperature-controlled air mass flow provided by the air conditioning system 12 can be conducted into the passenger compartment 32 .

Reference List

10

blower arrangement

11

blower housing

12

air conditioning

14

air outlet duct

16

vents

18

throttle element

19

deflection channel

20

acoustically effective element

30

vehicle

32

vehicle interior

100

mass flow

102

Region of high kinetic energy of the mass flow

104

Region of high mass flow velocity

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 10029546 A1 [0003]
• DE 202013105639 U1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Fan assembly (10) for a vehicle (30), the fan assembly (10) comprising: - An air conditioner (12) with an air outlet duct (14); - A vent (16) which is connected to the air outlet duct of the air conditioning system; and - A throttle element (18) which is arranged between the air conditioning system (12) and the vent (16) and is set up to reduce a mass flow (100) from the air outlet duct (14) to the vent (16); wherein the throttle element (18) has an acoustically effective element (20) on a side facing the air conditioning system (12). Fan arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the acoustically effective element (20) covers at least that part of the throttle element (18) which, during operation of the fan arrangement (10), flows directly against a mass flow (100) flowing through the air outlet duct (14). becomes. Fan arrangement (10) according to claim 2 , wherein the acoustically effective element (20) also at least partially covers that part of the throttle element (18) which, during operation of the fan arrangement (10), faces the mass flow (100) flowing out of the throttle element (18). Fan arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the throttle element (18) is designed as an integral part of a fan housing (11), in particular as a housing tongue. Fan arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the acoustically effective element (20) is at least partially rigid and has a plurality of recesses and is optionally designed as a perforated grid. Fan arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the acoustically effective element (20) is formed in one piece with the throttle element (18). Fan arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the acoustically effective element (20) is at least partially made of a porous material, and in particular is at least partially made of a foam material and/or a rubber material. Fan arrangement (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 and 7 , The acoustically effective element (20) being designed as a separate component and being fastened to the throttle element (18) and/or to the fan housing (10). Throttle element (18) for reducing a mass flow (100) for a fan arrangement (10) of a vehicle (30), the throttle element (18) having an acoustically effective element (20) on a side facing the incoming mass flow (100). Vehicle (30) comprising a fan assembly (10) according to claim 1 until 8th and/or a throttle element (18) according to claim 9 .

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