Ceiling Fan Adapter Segmentation for Leakage and Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ceiling-inserted fans experience air leakage and poor workability due to gaps between the adapter and adapter plate, and protruding screw points obstruct the sliding and fitting of the case, limiting construction methods and increasing installation complexity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates guide members on the case that engage with the adapter plate's concave sections, and a duct-connecting adapter with sealing and locking sections to prevent air leakage and improve fitment, ensuring no protrusions inside the case during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the adapter is screwed to the adapter plate to clear the gap, then air leakage is prevented, but screw points protrude inside the adapter plate making it difficult to slide and fit the case
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is separated into two distinct components: the adapter body that connects to the case, and the adapter plate that mounts to the joist. This segmentation allows the adapter body to be designed without protruding screw points, eliminating the obstruction to case assembly while maintaining air leakage prevention through the sealed connection between the adapter body and case.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw connection points are extracted from the adapter plate surface and relocated to the back side or edges of the adapter plate. This extraction removes the protruding screw points from the interior space, allowing the case to slide and fit smoothly onto the adapter without obstruction, while the adapter plate still securely fastens to the joist.
2Ease of manufacture
If the adapter integrated with adapter plate is screwed to the case periphery, then assembly is simple, but gaps cause air leakage into the attic
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the adapter into adapter body and adapter plate components, the design enables both simple assembly and effective sealing. The adapter body is designed to fit tightly against the case with minimal gaps, while the adapter plate provides the mounting function separately, thus achieving both assembly simplicity and air leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter body acts as an intermediary component between the case and the adapter plate. It provides a sealed interface with the case to prevent air leakage, while simultaneously providing a mounting surface for the adapter plate. This intermediary structure resolves the conflict between simple assembly and effective sealing.
3Strength
If the adapter includes a portion protruding inside the case, then the adapter can be secured to the adapter plate, but it obstructs the sliding and fitting of the case
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding portions are extracted or eliminated from the adapter design. The adapter body is designed to fit within the case opening without protruding inside the case interior. The securing function is achieved through flanges, ribs, or mounting features on the exterior surfaces of the adapter body and adapter plate, maintaining strength while eliminating obstructions to case installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A ceiling-inserted fan includes a case having an air inlet on a bottom surface of the case and an air outlet on a side surface of the case, an adapter plate having a rectangular opening and forming at least part of the side surface of the case, a duct-connecting adapter protruding outward the adapter plate and an air-sending part for directing air from the air inlet to the air outlet. The duct-connecting adapter is separated from the adapter plate and includes a sealing section that contacts with a peripheral section of the rectangular opening inside the case and a locking section that contacts with the peripheral section of the rectangular opening outside the case. The sealing section and the locking section removably holds the peripheral section.