Adjustable Fan Mount for Rotating Accessory Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounts for ceiling fan accessories restrict the orientation of decorative covers or accessories, limiting customer preference for positioning indicia such as printing or logos.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable mount comprising a receiver and retainer system that allows 360-degree rotation of the accessory after attachment to the fan, enabling secure positioning of the accessory in any desired orientation using a threaded downtube and fasteners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a standard junction box is used to attach mounts to the fan, then the mounting process is simple, but the accessory orientation is restricted and cannot be adjusted to customer preference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoidaccessory orientation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mount is divided into two separate components: a stationary receiver attached to the fan via standard junction box, and a rotatable retainer that holds the accessory. This segmentation allows the receiver to remain fixed while the retainer provides rotational adjustment capability, resolving the contradiction between simple mounting and orientation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer component is designed to be dynamically rotatable around the receiver before being secured in place. This dynamic capability allows the accessory to be oriented in any desired direction, while the final secured state maintains structural stability. The transition from dynamic (rotatable) to static (secured) state resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If existing mounts are used, then the accessory is securely attached to the fan, but the orientation is fixed and cannot be adjusted after attachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidorientation adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer is designed with a dual-state capability: initially dynamic to allow rotation and orientation adjustment, then becomes static when secured to the receiver. This enables the system to provide both orientation adjustability during installation and reliable secure attachment in the final state, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory is oriented in the desired direction while the retainer is still rotatable, before the retainer is secured to the receiver. This preliminary orientation action allows customer preference to be satisfied, and the subsequent securing action maintains attachment security, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11885344B1Adjustable mount for securing fan accessory

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 DELTA T CORP

AI summary

A mount is for attaching an accessory to a fan including a downtube. The mount includes a receiver adapted for connecting to the downtube. A retainer is adapted to receive the accessory. The retainer is adapted to support and rotate about the receiver so as to position the accessory in a desired orientation. Related methods of attaching an accessory to a fan are also disclosed.