Centrifugal Fan Casing Coupling With Nested Claw Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centrifugal fans with protruding coupling parts limit the degree of freedom of arrangement and are prone to damage when installed in vehicles, such as automobiles.

Innovation Solution

A centrifugal fan design featuring a first casing with a fitting part that radially fits into a second casing, using a claw part that engages with an engagement recess to prevent protrusion, ensuring secure coupling without outward extension.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If protrusion parts and hooks are used to couple the upper and lower casings, then the casings can be securely connected, but the coupling members protrude radially outward which limits the degree of freedom of arrangement and may cause damage to the coupling members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoiddegree of freedom of arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling members (protrusion part and hook) are designed to be nested within the casing structure rather than protruding outward. The protrusion part is positioned at the inner side of the lower outer peripheral wall, and the hook engages it from the upper casing, creating a nested configuration that maintains secure coupling while eliminating radial protrusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If protrusion parts and hooks are used to couple the upper and lower casings, then the casings can be securely connected, but the protruding coupling members are prone to damage from contact with components inside the vehicle body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoiddamage to coupling members

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling members are nested within the casing walls, with the protrusion part positioned at the inner side of the lower outer peripheral wall and the hook engaging it from the upper casing. This nested configuration protects the coupling members from external damage while maintaining secure connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If protrusion parts and hooks protrude radially outward for coupling, then the casings can be easily assembled, but the protruding structure interferes with various components inside the vehicle body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidinterference with components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling members are configured to nest within the casing structure rather than protrude outward. The protrusion part is positioned at the inner side of the lower outer peripheral wall, and the hook engages it from the upper casing, eliminating interference with internal components while maintaining assembly ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the fitting part is positioned radially more inward than the outer peripheral surface, then the coupling members do not protrude outward, but the coupling strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedegree of freedom of arrangementVSAvoidcoupling strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The outer peripheral wall parts are designed with integrated coupling members positioned at their inner sides. The protrusion part and hook are formed as integral structures during casing manufacturing, ensuring proper positioning and engagement before final assembly. This preliminary configuration ensures both non-protrusion and adequate coupling strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling members are designed with optimized geometric structures including the protrusion part with engagement surface and the hook with engaging surface. The combination of these structurally optimized components ensures sufficient coupling strength even when positioned at the inner side of the outer peripheral wall, preventing radial protrusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12535083B2Centrifugal fan

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 MINEBEAMITSUMI INC

AI summary

To provide a centrifugal fan capable of securing a degree of freedom of arrangement of the centrifugal fan in, for example, a vehicle body and preventing damage to a coupling member in advance. A centrifugal fan accommodates an impeller and a motor rotating the impeller inside a casing having an upper casing and a lower casing coupled with a first coupling part and a second coupling part. The upper casing includes an upper outer peripheral wall part forming an outer peripheral surface, the lower casing includes a lower outer peripheral wall part forming an outer peripheral surface, and the first coupling part includes a fitting part positioned radially more inward than the outer peripheral surface of the upper outer peripheral wall part, protruding toward the lower casing side, and fitted at an inner side of the lower outer peripheral wall part. The fitting part includes a claw part protruding radially outward at an end part at the lower casing side, and the second coupling part includes an engagement hole part provided at the lower outer peripheral wall part and engaging with the claw part.