Development of high performance and low noise compact centrifugal fan for cooling automotive seats

Jaehyun Kim; Seo-Yoon Ryu; Cheolung Cheong; Donghyeok Jang; Mingi An

doi:10.7776/ASK.2018.37.6.396

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2018 Vol.37, Issue 6 Preview Page Next Page

Research Article

Development of high performance and low noise compact centrifugal fan for cooling automotive seats 자동차 시트 쿨링용 고성능 ․ 저소음 컴팩트 원심팬 개발

30 November 2018. pp. 396-403

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Abstract

In this paper, a high-performance and low-noise centrifugal fan is developed for cooling automotive seats which provide a driver with pleasant driving environment. First, the flow characteristics of the existing fan unit was analyzed using a fan performance tester and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations. The analysis of the predicted flow field indicated vortex flow near the tip of fan hub and stagnation flow on the top of fan hub. Two design points are devised to reduce the vortex flow and the stagnation flow observed in the existing fan unit. First, the cut-off clearance which is the minimum distance between the fan blade and the fan housing is increased to reduce the vortex strength and, as a result, to reduce the overall sound pressure level. Second, the hub shape is more modified to eliminate the stagnation flow. The validity of proposed design is confirmed through the numerical analysis. Finally, a prototype is manufactured with a basis on the numerical analysis result and its improved flow and noise performances are confirmed through the P-Q curves measured by using the Fan Tester and the SPL (Sound Pressure Level) levels measured in the anechoic chamber.

Keywords

Centrifugal fan

Seat-cooling fan

Aerodynamic noise

CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)

Vortex flow

본 논문에서는 쾌적한 운전 환경을 제공하기 위해 자동차 시트를 냉각시키기 위한 고성능 및 저소음 원심팬을 개발하였다. 먼저 팬 성능 테스터 및 전산유체역학(Computational Fluid Dynamics, CFD) 시뮬레이션을 이용하여 기존 팬 장치의 유동 특성을 분석하였다. 예측한 유동장 분석을 통하여 팬 허브 팁 근처의 와류 및 팬 허브 상단의 정체된 유동 현상이 관측되었다. 이러한 와류 및 정체 유동을 줄이기 위해 두 가지 설계 요소를 고안하였다. 첫째, 팬 날개와 팬 하우징 최소 간극(cut-off)를 증가시켜 난류강도를 줄이고 그 결과로 전체적인 음압 레벨을 줄이고자 하였다. 둘째, 허브 형상은 정체 유동을 줄이기 위해 형상을 변경하였다. 제안된 설계의 타당성을 수치해석을 통해 확인하였다. 수치해석결과를 바탕으로 프로토타입을 제작하고 팬 테스터에서 측정한 성능 곡선(P-Q curve)과 반무향실에서 측정한 음압 레벨의 분석을 통해서 유동과 소음 성능의 향상을 확인하였다.

키워드

원심팬

시트 냉각팬

공력소음

전산유체역학(Computational Fluid Dynamics, CFD)

와류 유동

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Information

Publisher :The Acoustical Society of Korea
Publisher(Ko) :한국음향학회
Journal Title :The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
Journal Title(Ko) :한국음향학회지
Volume : 37
No :6
Pages :396-403
Received Date : 2018-10-18
Accepted Date : 2018-11-29
DOI :https://doi.org/10.7776/ASK.2018.37.6.396

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of KoreaISSN:1225-4428(Print) 2287-3775(Online)한국음향학회

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