Ceiling Fan Blade with Elliptical Edge Curvature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ceiling fans face inefficiencies in air movement due to traditional blade designs, which do not maximize airflow volume effectively, especially as energy costs rise.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates blades with a flat upper and lower surface and elliptical curved transitions between these surfaces and the side edges, enhancing airflow efficiency while maintaining a traditional aesthetic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional blade designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but airflow volume and efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The blade incorporates curved transitions at the leading and trailing edges that connect the upper and lower surfaces. These curved geometries optimize the airflow by reducing separation and turbulence at the edges, thereby increasing airflow volume and efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall blade structure.
2Loss of energy
If curved transitions are added to the blade, then airflow efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved transitions are designed with moderate radii that can be effectively manufactured using conventional CNC machining or mold-based processes. The curvature is optimized to balance aerodynamic benefits with manufacturability, avoiding excessively complex geometries while still achieving improved airflow efficiency.
3Productivity
If the blade geometry is modified to increase airflow, then performance is improved, but the traditional aesthetic appearance may be altered
Solution Approach 1:
The curved transitions are localized to specific regions at the leading and trailing edges of the blade, while the majority of the blade surface maintains a flat geometry. This localized modification allows for improved airflow performance without significantly altering the overall traditional aesthetic appearance of the blade.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved transitions are designed with subtle radii that enhance aerodynamic performance while maintaining visual harmony with traditional blade designs. The curvature is sufficient to improve airflow but not so pronounced as to dramatically change the blade's appearance.
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 design increases airflow volume and efficiency by providing increased downward force on air, resulting in improved performance without altering the fan's appearance.
Implementation Method 1
a blade body having an outer surface extending between a root and a tip in a span-wise direction, and extending between a first side edge and a second side edge in a chord-wise direction, the outer surface having at least one of a flat upper portion or a flat lower portion, and having a transition having an elliptical curvature connecting the at least one of the flat upper portion or the flat lower portion to at least one of the first side edge or the second side edge
Data Source
AI summary
A ceiling fan or similar air-moving device can include a motor for rotating one or more blades to drive a volume of air about a space. The blade can include a body having an outer surface with a flat top surface and a flat bottom surface, and a side edge. A curved transition can extend between one of the flat top surface or the flat bottom surface, and the side edge. The curved transition can include an elliptical curvature.