Two-Piece Fan Adapter Coupling for Variable Engine Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan adapters for engines face challenges in accommodating different engine sizes and spacings, leading to increased complexity and difficulty in coupling due to varying distances between the base and fan ends, which can result in insecure orientations and potential breakage.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece fan adapter system with a base portion and a fan end portion, where the base portion is configured with a circular male mating portion and the fan end portion with a complementary circular female mating portion, utilizing a bolt and dowel rod for secure coupling, thereby addressing the issue of varying engine sizes and spacings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a smaller distance between the base end and fan end of the adapter is used, then the adapter size is reduced, but the difficulty and complexity of coupling the adapter and fan to the engine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is divided into two separate pieces: a base portion that couples to the engine and a fan end portion that couples to the fan. This segmentation allows each piece to be optimized independently, with the base portion having a reduced distance to the mating portion while the fan end portion can be designed with sufficient space for coupling elements, thereby reducing overall adapter length without increasing coupling difficulty.
2Length of stationary object
If a smaller distance between the base end and fan end of the adapter is used, then the adapter size is reduced, but the risk of shear and breakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the adapter into two pieces connected by a bolt and dowel rod, the structure distributes mechanical loads more effectively. The bolt provides primary structural connection while the dowel rod prevents relative rotation and shear forces, allowing the adapter to maintain reduced length without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dowel rod acts as an intermediary element between the base portion and fan end portion, specifically preventing rotational movement and distributing shear forces. This intermediary component protects the adapter from breakage by managing stress distribution without requiring increased adapter length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different sizes and shapes of adapters are used for different engine sizes and spacings, then the adaptability increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base portion is designed with a universal mating portion configuration that can interface with different engine types and fan drives. The mounting portion on the base portion can be adapted to various engine configurations, allowing a single base portion design to serve multiple engine sizes and types, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized adapters.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation into base portion and fan end portion allows independent optimization and selection. Different fan end portions can be paired with compatible base portions to accommodate different engine-fan combinations, reducing the total number of unique adapter designs needed while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A method of coupling a fan (202) to an engine (200) includes, based on a size, shape, or implementation of the engine (200), selecting a base portion (212) of a fan adapter (210). The base portion (212) includes a mounting portion (222) and a coupling portion (224), and the mounting portion (222) is configured to be coupled to a fan drive or a fan drive pulley of the engine (200) via one or more mounting elements (204). The coupling portion (224) includes a mating portion (28). The method also includes, based on a size, shape, or implementation of the fan (202), selecting a fan end portion (214) of the fan adapter (210). The fan end portion (214) includes a mounting portion (234) and a coupling portion (236). The mounting portion (234) of the fan end portion (214) is configured to be coupled to the fan (202), and the coupling portion (236) of the fan end portion (214) includes a mating portion (40) that is complementary to the mating portion (28) of the base portion (212). The method further includes coupling the engine (200) to the fan (202) by coupling the mating portion (40) of the fan end portion (214) to the mating portion (28) of the base portion (212).