Ceiling Fan Blade Hub Push-Lock Assembly for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling fans face challenges in efficiently managing airflow and temperature regulation, particularly in industrial and commercial environments, due to vibration, gyroscopic movement, and the need for precise blade pitch adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling fan design featuring a motor assembly with a rotating blade hub, blade holders, and a push-lock assembly that uses a spring-biased pin to lock the blade ends within receivers, along with a downrod assembly that includes guy wires and turnbuckles for stability, and a motor housing with a clamshell style design to minimize vibration and facilitate precise blade pitch adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a ceiling fan uses high volume, low speed fans for air circulation, then temperature regulation is improved, but vibration and gyroscopic movement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is divided into separate components: individual blades, blade holders, and a blade hub. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled with precise alignment, reducing vibration through proper balancing while maintaining the high volume, low speed operation needed for temperature regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade holder integrates multiple functions: it secures the blade to the hub, provides alignment features, and incorporates the pitch adjustment mechanism. This merging of functions into a single component reduces the number of separate parts that could contribute to vibration while maintaining effective temperature regulation.
2Temperature
If a ceiling fan uses high volume, low speed fans for air circulation, then temperature regulation is improved, but gyroscopic movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade holders are designed with asymmetric features including offset mounting positions and non-uniform pitch adjustment mechanisms. This asymmetry allows for optimized blade positioning and angle of attack that reduces gyroscopic effects while maintaining the high volume, low speed operation necessary for effective temperature regulation in industrial environments.
3Productivity
If a ceiling fan uses fixed blade pitch, then device complexity is reduced, but airflow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade pitch is made adjustable through a mechanism that allows the blade holder to rotate relative to the blade hub. This dynamic adjustment capability enables optimization of airflow efficiency for different operating conditions while the mechanism is designed to be integrated into the existing blade assembly structure, minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pitch adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-contained within the blade holder assembly, using the blade holder's own structural elements rather than requiring separate external mechanisms. This self-service approach allows pitch adjustment functionality to be added without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
4Ease of operation
If a ceiling fan uses manual blade pitch adjustment, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional manual pitch adjustment mechanism is replaced with a push-lock assembly that uses a spring-biased pin and receiver system. This mechanical substitution provides easier operation through a simple push-to-lock, push-to-release action while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through the use of standard mechanical components integrated into the blade holder design.
Data Source
AI summary
A ceiling fan comprising a ceiling mount from which is suspended a motor by a downrod. The motor has a non-rotating motor shaft and a rotor rotating about the non-rotating motor shaft. Fan blades are coupled to the rotor a blade holder having a first end received within the first receiver and a second end received within the second receiver. A lock assembly is provided on the first end for securing the blade to the blade holder.