Contoured Fan Base Plate for Motor Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling fans for motor assemblies do not provide an optimal cooling effect due to suboptimal airflow direction, leading to inefficient heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A fan design featuring a base plate with blades projecting perpendicularly from its surface, contoured to direct air at an acute angle relative to the axis of rotation, combined with a shroud that accelerates airflow over the motor housing using the Coanda and Bernoulli Effects, enhancing airflow velocity and attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional cooling fan is used with blades parallel to the base plate, then the fan structure is simple, but the airflow direction is suboptimal and cooling efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is contoured with a curved surface rather than being flat, and the blades are angled relative to the base plate to work with this curvature. This curved geometry directs airflow at an acute angle relative to the axis of rotation, improving airflow attachment to the motor housing and enhancing cooling efficiency without significantly complicating manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The blade angle parameter is changed from parallel to the base plate to an angled configuration relative to the base plate. This parameter change optimizes the airflow direction to attach along the motor housing, transforming the airflow pattern from suboptimal to effective for cooling
2Device complexity
If airflow is directed parallel to the axis of rotation, then the fan design is conventional and simple, but airflow attachment to the motor housing is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The contoured base plate creates a curved airflow path that naturally guides the air to attach to the motor housing surface. This curvature-based approach achieves reliable airflow attachment without requiring complex active control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow is directed at an acute angle relative to the axis of rotation rather than purely axially, adding a radial component to the airflow vector. This dimensional change in airflow direction enables the air to follow and attach to the motor housing surface more effectively
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 solution increases airflow velocity, volume, and distance over the motor housing, improving cooling efficiency and reducing the torque required for a given RPM, while ensuring better airflow attachment and distribution.
Implementation Method 1
A fan design featuring a base plate with blades projecting perpendicularly from its surface, contoured to direct air at an acute angle relative to the axis of rotation, combined with a shroud that accelerates airflow over the motor housing using the Coanda and Bernoulli_effects
Implementation Method 2
A fan design featuring a base plate with blades projecting perpendicularly from its surface, contoured to direct air at an acute angle relative to the axis of rotation, combined with a shroud that accelerates airflow over the motor housing using the Coanda and Bernoulli_effects
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a fan for a rotating device having a shaft with an axis of rotation is provided. The fan includes a base plate having a front surface, a rear surface, and a hub configured for coupling to the shaft. The fan further includes at least one blade projecting from the front surface of the base plate substantially perpendicular to the base plate. The base plate is contoured to direct air at an acute angle relative to the axis of rotation.