Ceiling Fan Dual Axis Gimble Mounting Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ceiling fan mounts with ball-and-socket designs can precess about the rotational axis, interfering with ceiling wires and limiting rotational freedom, which can cause unwanted movement and tilting of the fan during operation.
Innovation Solution
A dual axis gimble assembly comprising an outer hanger ball positioned within a mounting bracket and an inner hanger ball coupled to the downrod, providing two degrees of rotational freedom to prevent precession and maintain the ceiling fan's level orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ball-and-socket mount is used to allow the ceiling fan to pivot in response to reaction forces, then the fan can accommodate rotational movement, but the fan can precess about the rotational axis which interferes with ceiling wires and limits rotational freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested ball-and-socket mechanism where an inner ball-and-socket joint is positioned within an outer ball-and-socket joint. The inner joint allows pivoting motion while the outer joint provides rotational constraint, preventing precession. This nested configuration enables the fan to accommodate reaction forces without interfering with ceiling wires or limiting rotational freedom.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the ball mount is rotational constrained to prevent precession, then precession is limited, but the ball mount is limited to one degree of rotational freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The nested dual ball-and-socket configuration allows the inner joint to provide rotational constraint (preventing precession) while the outer joint maintains rotational freedom. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both precession prevention and multi-degree rotational freedom simultaneously through the hierarchical nesting of constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: the outer ball-and-socket joint for rotational freedom, the inner ball-and-socket joint for precession constraint, and the downrod for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of the contradiction independently while working together as an integrated system.
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional ball mount is used, then installation is simple, but the fan experiences unwanted movement and tilting during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The nested dual ball-and-socket design maintains relative simplicity in installation while significantly improving operational stability. The inner joint is positioned within the outer joint, allowing both to be installed through a single mounting interface. The inner joint's rotational constraint prevents unwanted movement and tilting during operation, while the outer joint maintains ease of installation comparable to conventional mounts.
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 dual axis gimble assembly allows for two-dimensional rotation, reducing reactionary forces and preventing unwanted movement of the ceiling fan, ensuring stability and balanced operation by aligning the rotational axes in the same plane.
Implementation Method 1
a dual axis gimble for connecting the downrod to the mounting bracket, wherein the dual axis gimble comprises: an outer hanger ball positioned within the seat of the mounting bracket; and an inner hanger ball positioned within and rotatably connected to the outer hanger ball
Data Source
AI summary
A ceiling fan assembly or similar air-moving device can include a motor for rotating one or more blades to drive a volume of air about a space. The ceiling fan assembly can include a ceiling fan mount with a dual axis gimble. The dual axis gimble can be received by a mounting bracket so that at least a first and second axis of rotation are provided to the ceiling fan assembly.