Centrifugal Fan Case Segmentation for Airflow Leakage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional centrifugal fans experience airflow pressure loss and noise due to air leaking through the air inlets, which affects their performance.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a case with an axial inlet section and radial air outlets, featuring a pressure-enhanced section and an output section, where the air inlets in the output section have a larger area and are positioned farther from the center, reducing airflow leakage and noise by controlling the width of the flowing channel through different-sized air inlets and dividing the pressure-enhanced section into sub-sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air inlets are provided in the case for introducing airflows, then the centrifugal fan can intake air along the axial direction, but pressure-enhanced airflows may leak through the air inlets and noise is incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The case is divided into multiple sections: axial inlet section, pressure-enhanced section, and output section. Air inlets are strategically positioned only in the axial inlet section, while the pressure-enhanced and output sections are sealed to prevent leakage. This segmentation allows the fan to maintain productivity while eliminating energy loss from airflow leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the case have different structural characteristics: the axial inlet section has air inlets for airflow introduction, while the pressure-enhanced section has a sealed structure with impeller interaction to enhance pressure, and the output section is sealed for controlled discharge. This local differentiation optimizes both productivity and energy efficiency.
2Productivity
If air inlets are provided in the case for introducing airflows, then the centrifugal fan can intake air along the axial direction, but noise is incurred due to the lost of pressure-enhanced airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The case is segmented into axial inlet section, pressure-enhanced section, and output section. By sealing the pressure-enhanced and output sections, the invention prevents airflow leakage that causes noise, while maintaining air intake capability through the axial inlet section. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between productivity and noise reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harmful effect of airflow leakage (noise) into a beneficial sealed structure that guides airflow smoothly through the impeller. The sealed pressure-enhanced section transforms what would be noisy leakage into controlled, noise-free airflow progression.
3Loss of energy
If the flowing channel is sealed to prevent air-leaking, then airflow pressure loss and noise are reduced, but air intake capability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The case is segmented into three functional sections: axial inlet section with air inlets for intake, pressure-enhanced section for pressure building, and output section for discharge. This segmentation allows sealed structures in pressure-enhanced and output sections to prevent leakage, while the axial inlet section remains open for air intake, thus resolving the contradiction between preventing pressure loss and maintaining intake capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections have different sealing characteristics: the axial inlet section is locally open for air intake, while the pressure-enhanced and output sections are sealed to prevent leakage. This local quality differentiation ensures both air intake capability and prevention of pressure loss.
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
This design effectively reduces air-leaking and associated noise, enhancing the airflow pressure and overall performance of the centrifugal fan.
Implementation Method 1
The centrifugal fan intakes air along an axial direction of the impeller and outputs air along a radial direction of the impeller
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a centrifugal fan. A driving device is connected to an impeller and drives the impeller to rotate within a case. The flowing channel includes a pressure-enhanced section and an output section. The case includes an air input section, an axial inlet section and a radial air outlet. The bottom base has a center and allows the driving device to be secured thereon. Multiple ribs are interconnected between the bottom base and the case to define air inlets among the ribs, the bottom base and the case. The air inlet within the output section has an outmost edge, which is farther from the center than an outmost edge of the air inlet within the pressure-enhanced section, or the air inlet within the output section has an area, which is larger than that of the air inlet within the pressure-enhanced section.