Corrugated Hub Impeller Structure for High Rigidity at Lower Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional impellers face challenges in achieving both high rigidity and lightness due to stress concentration at the coupling location between the cylindrical portion and the blade, exacerbated by the addition of ribs for reinforcement, which increases weight.
Innovation Solution
The impeller design incorporates a corrugated-plate-shaped connecting portion connecting the cylindrical and boss portions, reducing stress concentration and weight while maintaining rigidity, and includes features like notch portions and drain holes for improved lightness and space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If ribs are provided in the hub to increase rigidity and reduce stress concentration, then the rigidity of the hub is improved, but the weight of the impeller increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portion is designed with a corrugated shape featuring multiple arc-shaped recesses that curve between the cylindrical portion and boss portion. This curved geometry distributes stress more effectively across the connection interface while using material more efficiently than straight ribs, achieving enhanced rigidity with reduced weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated connecting portion concentrates structural reinforcement at the critical stress concentration points (the arc-shaped recesses) rather than uniformly distributing mass throughout the hub. This localized quality enhancement provides maximum strength where needed while minimizing overall weight.
2Reliability
If conventional ribs are used to reduce stress concentration, then stress concentration is reduced, but the weight increases making it difficult to achieve both high rigidity and lightness
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped recesses in the corrugated connecting portion create a curved stress distribution path that naturally reduces stress concentration at the coupling location. The curved geometry allows stress to flow more smoothly around the connection interface rather than concentrating at sharp corners or flat surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting portion's geometry is optimized with specific parameters for the arc-shaped recesses (curvature radius, depth, spacing) to achieve the optimal balance between stress distribution and material usage, reducing weight while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An impeller includes: a hub portion including an outer peripheral surface; and a plurality of blade portions connected to the outer peripheral surface of the hub portion. The hub portion includes: a cylindrical portion including the outer peripheral surface of the hub portion and an inner peripheral surface; a boss portion for insertion of an output shaft of an electric motor, the boss portion having a cylindrical shape and being disposed at the center of the cylindrical portion; and a connecting portion having a corrugated-plate shape and connecting the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and an outer peripheral surface of the boss portion.