Ceiling Fan Blade Iron Mounting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for mounting ceiling fan blade irons to a motor are cumbersome and difficult, as installers must align holes from a position below the ceiling, making it hard to view and align screws for secure attachment.
Innovation Solution
A fan blade iron mounting system with a dove-tailed tongue and notch mechanism allows for quick and secure attachment by using a trapezoidal shaped notch and tongue, along with a flat spring to create a centrifugal force that tightens the fit, enabling easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If mounting screws are passed from the top of the blade iron to hide screw heads, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but alignment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning mechanism with alignment features that act as an intermediary between the installer and the mounting holes. The positioning members on the blade iron engage with corresponding features on the motor housing to automatically align the mounting holes, making the alignment process trivial while maintaining the aesthetic requirement of hidden screw heads
2Ease of operation
If installers work from below the ceiling to mount blade irons, then accessibility is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary alignment features that are built into the blade iron structure itself. Positioning members and alignment features are pre-configured on the blade iron before installation, allowing the installer to simply attach the blade iron to the motor without requiring precise alignment from below the ceiling. The alignment is accomplished through the pre-configured mechanical features
3Reliability
If traditional screw mounting is used, then connection reliability is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mounting function into separate components: positioning members for alignment, mounting holes for attachment, and a multi-hole configuration for redundancy. This segmentation allows for quick alignment and attachment while maintaining reliable connections through multiple mounting points
Solution Approach 2:
The blade iron structure includes self-aligning features that automatically position the mounting holes correctly when the blade iron is attached to the motor. The positioning members on the blade iron engage with corresponding features on the motor housing, causing the mounting holes to self-align without requiring manual adjustment or precise positioning by the installer
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
Enables quick, reliable, and secure mounting and dismounting of blade irons, simplifying the installation process and ensuring a stable connection without the need for precise alignment from below the ceiling.
Implementation Method 1
A fan blade iron mounting system with a dove-tailed tongue and notch mechanism allows for quick and secure attachment by using a trapezoidal shaped notch and tongue, along with a flat spring to create a centrifugal force that tightens the fit
Data Source
AI summary
A ceiling fan (10) is disclosed which has a motor (13) and an annular array of blade irons (14) each having a blade (15) mounted thereto. Each blade iron includes a body portion (18) and a mounting portion (19). The body portion (18) has a motor mounting flange (21) which includes a trapezoidal shaped groove 28 and a flat spring (32). The mounting portion (19) includes a trapezoidal shaped or dove tailed tongue (40) which has a depression (42) adapted to receive the spring to lock to the position of the body portion relative to the mounting portion.