Angled Ceiling Fan Mounting Assembly for Stable Airflow Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High Volume/Low Speed ceiling fans with conventional axial speed reducing gearboxes and vertical airflow orientation face challenges when attempting to orient airflow in non-vertical directions, leading to potential stability issues due to the high center of gravity and stress on mounting structures.
Innovation Solution
A fan system with an adjustable configuration that includes a bracket, extension tube, lower adjustment assembly, and upper self-adjustment assembly, allowing the fan to be oriented in non-vertical positions while maintaining the center of gravity directly below the mounting bracket, using a gearbox with a transverse motor axis and adjustable plates for precise orientation and balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the fan is oriented in non-vertical positions to achieve desired airflow direction, then airflow orientation flexibility is improved, but stress on mounting structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principle by positioning a weight component on the extension tube to balance the fan assembly in non-vertical orientations. The weight is adjustable along the extension tube to compensate for the offset between the mounting bracket and the fan's center of gravity, thereby eliminating excessive stress on the mounting structure while maintaining airflow orientation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability through an adjustable mechanism that allows the fan assembly to be positioned at various angles relative to the mounting bracket. The extension tube with adjustable weight positioning enables the system to adapt to different orientation requirements while maintaining balance, transforming a static mounting system into a dynamic one that can accommodate non-vertical positions without structural stress.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the mounting point is located a considerable distance above the center of gravity for stability in vertical mounting, then stability in vertical position is improved, but difficulty in orienting fan in non-vertical positions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a weight component that can be positioned on the extension tube to shift the overall center of gravity of the fan assembly. This allows the mounting point to remain in its original position (maintaining vertical stability) while the adjustable weight compensates for the offset when the fan is oriented in non-vertical positions, effectively decoupling vertical stability from orientation adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional degree of freedom by allowing weight adjustment along the extension tube axis. This dimensional adjustment capability enables the system to maintain balance in multiple orientations by shifting the center of gravity along the tube, thereby resolving the conflict between vertical stability and non-vertical orientability.
3Speed
If an axial speed reducing gearbox is used to drive fan blades, then motor and gearbox assembly height increases, but stress on mounting structure in non-vertical positions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by placing a weight component on the extension tube to balance the mass distribution of the motor and gearbox assembly. The weight compensates for the high center of gravity created by the axial gearbox, allowing the fan to be oriented in non-vertical positions without creating excessive stress on the mounting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the weight position adjustable along the extension tube, creating a dynamic balancing system. This allows the center of gravity to be repositioned according to the desired fan orientation, enabling the system to adapt to different angular positions while maintaining balance and minimizing mounting stress, despite the fixed height of the axial gearbox.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fan system comprises a fan, a bracket configured to mount to a ceiling structure, and a mounting assembly coupling the fan with the bracket. The mounting assembly comprises a fan mounting assembly secured to the fan; and a bracket mounting assembly secured to the bracket. The mounting assembly includes an elongate member extending between the fan mounting assembly and the bracket mounting assembly. The fan mounting assembly is configured to permit adjustment of the orientation of the fan axis about two axes that are perpendicular to the fan axis. The bracket mounting assembly is configured to permit adjustment of the orientation of the elongate member axis about two axes that are perpendicular to the elongate member axis. The bracket mounting assembly permits self- adjustment of the mounting assembly, to re-position the center of gravity of the fan system underneath the bracket after the fan axis orientation has been adjusted.