Blower Air Path Curvature Reduces Pressure Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional blowers experience efficiency loss and noise due to pressure loss and turbulent flows caused by a sharp change in cross-sectional shape from a rectangular to a round shape at the adaptor and duct connection, leading to decreased blowing efficiency and increased noise.

Innovation Solution

A blower design with a continuously and smoothly changing cross-sectional shape from the fan outlet to the duct connection opening, using an in-frame blow-out part and duct connection part with a round duct connection opening, reducing pressure loss and turbulent flows by maintaining a consistent air path shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the cross-sectional shape changes sharply from rectangle to round shape at the adaptor and duct connection, then the device complexity is reduced, but pressure loss increases and blowing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptor structureVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by replacing the sharp angular transition between rectangular and round cross-sections with a smooth curved transition. The air path includes a curved surface that gradually changes the cross-sectional shape, eliminating abrupt corners and edges. This curved geometry reduces flow separation and turbulence, thereby minimizing pressure loss while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by creating a seamless, continuous air path without abrupt interruptions or changes. The curved surface provides a continuous transition zone that maintains smooth airflow throughout. This continuous geometry prevents sudden flow disturbances and ensures efficient air discharge from the fan to the duct connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Ease of manufacture

If the cross-sectional shape changes sharply from rectangle to round shape, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but turbulent flows increase and noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptor fabricationVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The curved transition surface reduces turbulent flows and associated noise by eliminating sharp angular changes in the air path. The smooth curvature maintains laminar flow characteristics longer, reducing vortex generation and pressure fluctuations that cause noise. This design achieves quieter operation while remaining manufacturable through standard forming processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The continuous curved geometry ensures uninterrupted smooth airflow from the rectangular fan outlet to the round duct connection. This continuity prevents sudden flow disturbances that generate turbulence and noise. The seamless transition maintains consistent flow patterns, reducing aerodynamic noise while preserving manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Volume of moving object

If the air path is shortened in the adaptor, then the device compactness is improved, but pressure loss increases and blowing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblower sizeVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The curved transition surface maximizes the use of available space by providing an efficient three-dimensional path. The curvature allows the air path to change direction and cross-sectional shape smoothly within a compact volume, achieving the necessary transition length without increasing the overall blower size. This curved geometry maintains pressure efficiency while preserving compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by transitioning from a two-dimensional planar view to a three-dimensional curved surface. The curved air path extends into the third dimension, allowing a longer effective flow path within a compact footprint. This dimensional approach enables sufficient transition length for pressure efficiency while maintaining compact overall dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The design enhances blowing efficiency and reduces noise by minimizing pressure loss and turbulent flows, ensuring efficient air discharge even under high static pressure conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a fan (5) driven by a motor (9)... having a fan outlet (16)... air path changes continuously and smoothly at the in-frame blow-out part (17) and the duct connection part (19) from the fan outlet (16) to the duct connection opening (18)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS8690529B2Blower
Publication Date: 2014.04.08 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • US8690529B2 patent drawing
  • US8690529B2 patent drawing
  • US8690529B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A blower drawing air into the air path and discharging air to the discharge duct, including: a frame forming an outer shell; a fan driven by a motor and having a fan outlet, inside the frame; a duct connection part having a duct connection opening, connected to the discharge duct, outside the frame; and an in-frame blow-out part connecting the duct connection part with the fan outlet, inside the frame. The cross-section shape of the air path changes continuously and smoothly at the in-frame blow-out part and the duct connection part, from the fan outlet to the duct connection opening.