Axial Fan Air Guide Structure for Vortex and Noise Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fans suffer from high pressure loss and energy inefficiency, leading to poor acoustic behavior due to air vortex formation around the axis of rotation, which affects air throughput and noise levels.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an air guide between the cover and impeller to reduce or prevent air flow around the axis of rotation, utilizing a fixed axial air guide with a flow guiding web and holding web to direct air flow and minimize vortex formation, thereby improving air performance and acoustic behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the fan operates without an air guide, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but air vortex formation occurs around the axis of rotation causing high pressure loss and energy inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure lossVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An air guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the cover and impeller to control and direct air flow. This mediator prevents harmful air vortices from forming around the rotation axis, thereby reducing pressure loss and energy inefficiency without fundamentally changing the core fan structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The air guide is divided into functional segments including a flow guiding web and holding web, allowing it to perform multiple functions (flow direction control, structural support, filter mounting) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be integrated into existing fan designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the cover is arranged close to the air intake opening, then the device size is reduced, but the unstable area in the characteristic curve increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcharacteristic curve stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide acts as a mediator between the cover and impeller, enabling the cover to be positioned closer to the air intake opening while preventing the formation of unstable air vortices. This maintains a compact device size while preserving characteristic curve stability through controlled air flow guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the air guide is designed with extended axial extent, then it can support additional elements like filters, but the air flow resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter support capabilityVSAvoidair flow resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an air flow control component and as a support structure for filters or other elements. The flow guiding web and holding web configuration allows it to perform multiple functions while maintaining acceptable air flow characteristics through optimized geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the air guide is positioned to maximize air flow guidance, then acoustic behavior improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise levelVSAvoidair guide structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide serves as a relatively simple intermediary structure that positions itself optimally between the cover and impeller to control air flow and reduce noise-generating vortices. Its straightforward design with flow guiding and holding webs achieves acoustic improvement without introducing excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Significantly enhances air throughput and reduces unstable areas in the fan's characteristic curve, effectively doubling static overpressure and reducing noise levels, while allowing for optional filter support and easy installation.

Implementation Method 1

at least one air guide (7), which reduces or prevents an air flow around the axis of rotation (20)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow guidance:

Implementation Method 2

the occurrence of the air vortex induced by the impeller is at least partially prevented

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex reduction:

Data Source

PatentEP2282135B1Ventilator
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 MAICO ELEKTROAPPARATE FABRIK GMBH
  • EP2282135B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2282135B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2282135B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The ventilator (1) has a propeller provided with a rotational axis, and a vacuum channel provided with an air suction opening (6) resting upstream of the propeller, for forming lateral air incident flow. A glass channel is provided with an air outlet opening resting upstream of the propeller, for forming lateral air outlet flow. A cover (3) is arranged in a housing (2). An air guiding unit (7) is arranged in a zone between a rear side of the cover and the propeller, and reduces or suppresses air flow around the rotational axis.