Portable Fan Base and Grille Design for Stability and Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fans lack efficient mechanisms for securing stability and reducing vibrations, while also ensuring compliance with safety standards for probe insertion prevention and airflow optimization.
Innovation Solution
A fan design featuring a base with cleats for secure attachment, a blower unit with vibration isolation, and vanes that comply with safety standards to prevent probe insertion, along with a variable speed control mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the fan operates on a smooth surface, then it can move freely, but it lacks stability and cannot be securely attached to support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into functional segments: a smooth operational surface and separate cleats protruding from the bottom surface. This segmentation allows the base to simultaneously provide stability through cleat engagement and maintain smooth operation during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
Cleats serve as intermediary elements between the base and support structures. These cleats engage with corresponding recesses in support structures to provide secure attachment, acting as a mediating mechanism that connects the fan to stable surfaces without requiring permanent modification.
2Productivity
If the grille has large openings for airflow, then airflow is optimized, but safety standards for probe insertion prevention cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The grille employs local quality differentiation through hexagonal vanes with specific dimensional characteristics. The vanes create localized opening patterns that optimize airflow while maintaining sufficient spacing to prevent probe insertion, satisfying both performance and safety requirements through localized geometric design.
Solution Approach 2:
The grille design utilizes parameter changes in the hexagonal vane dimensions and spacing to achieve the desired balance. By carefully controlling the size, shape, and arrangement of the hexagonal openings, the design optimizes airflow parameters while ensuring that the minimum probe insertion diameter requirement is not exceeded.
3Ease of manufacture
If the motor is directly coupled to the housing, then manufacturing is simplified, but vibrations from the motor are transmitted to the housing and affect operation
Solution Approach 1:
A boot is introduced as an intermediary element between the motor and the housing. This boot acts as a vibration isolation mechanism that decouples the motor's vibrations from the housing, reducing the transmission of harmful vibrations while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process through a straightforward installation approach.
4Ease of operation
If the fan is designed for portability, then ease of operation is improved, but stability and secure attachment to support structures are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The base is segmented into a smooth top surface for portability and separate cleats on the bottom surface for stability. This segmentation enables the fan to be easily moved during operation while providing secure attachment capabilities when stationary, resolving the contradiction between portability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleats are designed to be dynamically engaged or disengaged based on operational needs. During transport, the cleats remain retracted or disengaged for ease of movement, while during stationary operation, they can be engaged with support structures to provide stability, allowing the system to adapt its attachment state based on operational context.
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 design provides stable operation, reduced vibrations, and optimized airflow while ensuring compliance with safety standards, enhancing user convenience and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a boot located between the motor housing and the motor to at least partially isolate the motor housing from vibrations from the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A fan including a base having a base housing, a battery receptacle disposed on the base housing, the battery receptacle configured to receive a battery. a user interface disposed on the base housing, and a plurality of cleats extending from a bottom surface of the base housing. The plurality of cleats are configured to cooperate with corresponding recesses on a support structure. The fan includes a blower unit supported by the base. The blower unit includes a blower unit housing, a motor positioned within the blower unit housing and having a motor output shaft, and a blade coupled to the motor output shaft.