Axial Fan Sheet Metal Diffuser Temperature Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Contemporary axial fans with diffusers face issues with temperature stability, coloring, UV compatibility, and manufacturing challenges due to plastic materials, while seeking to optimize flow technology and robustness.

Innovation Solution

The axial fan design incorporates a sheet metal fan nozzle and external diffuser, with a cylindrical internal diffuser and support unit, featuring a two-part fan nozzle and touch protection grid, utilizing galvanized sheet steel for enhanced temperature resistance and mechanical resilience, and optimizing the diffuser geometry to convert dynamic air pressure into static pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If plastic materials are used for fan nozzle and diffuser, then ease of manufacture is improved, but temperature stability and mechanical strength deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining plastic components (fan blades, guide vanes) with metal components (fan nozzle, diffuser) to achieve both ease of manufacture and high mechanical strength. The plastic parts are injection-molded while the metal parts are deep-drawn and rolled, creating a hybrid structure that leverages the advantages of both material types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If plastic materials are used for fan nozzle and diffuser, then ease of manufacture is improved, but temperature resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidtemperature resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials with metal components (galvanized sheet metal) for the fan nozzle and diffuser to provide high temperature resistance while maintaining ease of manufacture through deep-drawing and rolling processes. The metal construction allows operation in high-temperature environments where plastic would fail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If plastic materials are used for fan nozzle and diffuser, then ease of manufacture is improved, but UV resistance and color stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidcolor stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials where metal components (galvanized sheet metal fan nozzle and diffuser) provide superior UV resistance and color stability compared to plastic. The metal construction maintains its appearance and structural properties under UV exposure, solving the degradation issues associated with plastic outdoor applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If sheet metal is used for fan nozzle and outer diffuser, then temperature resistance and mechanical strength are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fan nozzle and outer diffuser into a single integrated sheet metal component manufactured as one piece through deep-drawing and rolling. This integration reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the mechanical strength advantages of sheet metal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Use of energy by moving object

If diffuser geometry is optimized to convert dynamic pressure to static pressure, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the diffuser function into the existing fan nozzle structure, creating an integrated component that performs both structural support and flow conditioning. The diffuser geometry is built into the sheet metal construction rather than being a separate component, thereby improving energy efficiency while minimizing additional device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3009682B1Axial fan having outer and inner diffuser
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 THERMOFIN GMBH
  • EP3009682B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3009682B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3009682B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to an axial fan (1) with drive motor (5) and fan blades (6) as well as a circular cylindrical fan nozzle (2) and an adjoining outer diffuser (3), wherein the fan nozzle (2) and the outer diffuser (3) are made from a single piece of sheet metal, and wherein a support unit (4) for the drive motor (5) is provided, which simultaneously forms a cylindrical inner diffuser (8), and wherein the inner diffuser (8) extends in the axial direction towards the fan blades (6) to the axial end of the outer diffuser (3).