Detachable Propeller Latch for Underwater Shaft Entanglement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Propeller arrangements for underwater applications, such as vacuum cleaners, face malfunctions due to entanglements like threads or plant parts around the rotary shaft, requiring labor-intensive disassembly, and existing designs have complex structures with many parts affecting manufacturing, assembly, durability, and size.
Innovation Solution
The latching fingers are formed integrally with the shaft part, creating a positive connection with the latching opening that allows for torque transmission without additional elements, enabling easy detachment and reduced assembly force through optimized cross-sections and flanks with depressions or guide strips, and using thermoplastic terpolymer materials for high resistance and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latching connection with multiple separate parts is used to connect the propeller part and shaft part, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latching fingers are formed integrally with the shaft part as a single piece, eliminating the need for separate latching components. This merging of parts reduces device complexity while maintaining the latching connection's reliability through the integrated design that provides both axial retention and torque transmission capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft part with integrated latching fingers serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides axial positioning of the propeller, transmits torque through the latching connection, and eliminates the need for separate compression springs or torque transmission units. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of parts while maintaining connection reliability.
2Reliability
If a secure latching connection is used to prevent malfunctions, then the reliability is improved, but the assembly and disassembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latching fingers are designed with elastic movability in the radial direction, allowing them to dynamically adapt during assembly and disassembly. This elasticity enables easy insertion and removal of the propeller part while maintaining a secure locked position during operation, thus improving ease of operation without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching connection utilizes changes in radial position of the latching fingers to achieve different states: during assembly, the fingers are compressed radially to allow insertion, and during operation, they extend radially to lock the propeller securely. This parameter change enables both easy operation and high reliability.
3Device complexity
If the latching fingers are formed integrally with the shaft part, then the number of parts is reduced, but the torque transmission capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The torque transmission function is merged into the latching connection structure itself. The latching fingers with their specific cross-sectional profiles engage with corresponding features on the propeller part to directly transmit torque, eliminating the need for separate torque transmission units while maintaining adequate power transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching fingers are designed with specific local geometric features including cross-sectional profiles and flanks that are optimized for torque transmission. These localized structural characteristics ensure sufficient torque capacity despite the reduced number of parts, as the critical torque transmission areas are enhanced through precise geometric design.
4Power
If the contact area between latching fingers and latching opening is increased, then the torque transmission is improved, but the friction during mounting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching opening and latching fingers are designed with differentiated local characteristics: the contact surfaces are optimized with specific geometric features that provide sufficient torque transmission area while minimizing friction during assembly. The flanks and cross-sectional profiles are shaped to concentrate contact areas for torque transmission while reducing overall contact area during mounting operations.
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 solution simplifies the detachment process, reduces the risk of damage during assembly/disassembly, and enhances durability and service life by minimizing parts and using materials with high resistance to weathering and aging.
Implementation Method 1
latching fingers, which can be moved elastically in a latching direction radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the propeller arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a propeller arrangement (1) having a propeller part (2) and a shaft part (3), in particular for an underwater vacuum cleaner, wherein the propeller part (2) and the shaft part (3) are coaxially connected to one another via a latching connection (4), which latching connection (4) has at least two latching fingers (5) which can move elastically in a latching direction (R) radially with respect to an axis of rotation (1a) of the propeller arrangement (1), and a latching opening (6) for accommodating the latching fingers (5).The latching fingers (5) are formed integrally with the shaft part (3). The latching fingers (5) and the latching opening (6) form—in and/or against a direction of rotation (P) of the propeller arrangement (1) —a positive connection. This enables an easily detachable rotary connection between the propeller part (2) and the shaft part (3) in a simple manner.