Air Compressor Belt Guard with Slit Intake for Pump Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air compressors face issues with excessive heating of the pump unit due to the limited cooling capacity of the driven pulley, which is shaped as a fan, and the belt guard does not effectively dissipate heat.
Innovation Solution
A belt guard made of plastic material with a front wall containing slits for air intake, a side wall enclosing the pulleys, and a rear wall that covers the pump unit by at least 30% of its depth, creating a funnel-shaped portion to enhance air flow and cooling capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the belt guard is made as a simple cover with slits for air intake, then the safety protection function is improved, but the cooling capacity of the pump unit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The belt guard extends in the axial direction of the pump unit, covering at least 30% of its depth. This dimensional extension transforms the belt guard from a simple protective cover into a cooling air distribution system that can effectively direct air flow towards the pump unit, thereby improving cooling capacity while maintaining safety protection.
2Power
If the driven pulley is shaped as a fan with reduced capacity, then the transmission function is improved, but the cooling function deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the cooling function with the protective belt guard structure. The belt guard is designed with air intake slits and a shape that extends over the pump unit, creating a integrated system that both protects the transmission components and actively directs cooling air to the pump unit, compensating for the reduced cooling capacity of the driven pulley fan.
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 increases the cooling capacity of the driven pulley, effectively reducing the risk of pump unit overheating by directing external air flow towards the pump unit, thereby improving thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
air drawn from outside by the spokes of the driven pulley made as fan blades is conveyed towards the pump unit
Data Source
AI summary
An air compressor (10) has a reservoir (12), pump (14), motor (16), transmission belt (18) wound around a driving pulley (20) coupled to a motor shaft (16) and around a driven pulley (22) coupled to a pump shaft. Driven pulley spokes (28) are shaped as fan blades transmit torque and cool the pump (14). A belt guard (30) encloses the transmission belt (18), and pulleys (20, 22). The belt guard (18) has a front wall (32) with slits (34) for air drawn by the driven pulley (22), a side wall (36) enclosing the space around the transmission belt (18) and around pulleys (20, 22), and a rear wall (38) having an opening (40) receiving the pump (14). Air drawn through the slits (34) in the front wall (32) passes towards the pump (14). The guard rear wall (38) covers the pump (14) by at least 30% of its depth.