Propeller Fan Blade Surface Grooves for Lower Turbulence Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
In devices like blowers or fans, dimples on rotating blades can hinder efficient fluid movement due to increased surface area and resistance, leading to turbulence and reduced smooth rotation.
Innovation Solution
A surface-processed structure featuring a series of three-dimensional blocks with inclined surfaces and fine grooves is applied to the blades, reducing contact resistance and enhancing fluid flow by creating a smooth air layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If dimples are provided on rotating blades to increase surface area and strengthen wind resistance, then blade rotation is improved, but fluid movement efficiency deteriorates due to increased resistance and turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The blade surface is segmented into multiple functional zones: a leading edge region with a first surface structure (different from dimples) and a trailing edge region with a second surface structure. This segmentation allows different portions of the blade to serve different functions - the leading edge optimizes for fluid movement while the trailing edge maintains rotational force, resolving the contradiction between wind resistance and fluid movement efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Different surface structures are applied to different local regions of the blade. The leading edge region receives a surface structure optimized for reducing turbulence and improving fluid flow, while the trailing edge region receives a structure optimized for maintaining wind resistance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to optimize for its specific functional requirement
2Force
If dimples are provided on rotating blades to increase surface area, then wind resistance is strengthened, but blade rotation smoothness deteriorates due to increased rotational load
Solution Approach 1:
The blade surface is divided into distinct regions with different surface structures. The leading edge region uses a first surface structure that reduces turbulent flow and rotational load, while the trailing edge region uses a second surface structure that maintains wind resistance. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between wind resistance and rotation smoothness by distributing different functional demands to different blade regions
Solution Approach 2:
The blade surface is given different local properties: the leading edge has a surface structure optimized for smooth fluid flow and reduced turbulence, while the trailing edge has a structure optimized for maximum wind resistance. This local quality differentiation allows the blade to maintain both wind resistance and rotation smoothness simultaneously
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 surface-processed structure enables efficient fluid movement by reducing friction and turbulence, allowing for smoother blade rotation and improved airflow directionality.
Implementation Method 1
reducing contact resistance and enhancing fluid flow by creating a smooth air layer
Data Source
AI summary
A surface-processed structure includes a plurality of blocks that are three-dimensional objects arranged on a target surface. The plurality of blocks are spaced apart from each other and are arranged side by side in a second direction. Each of the plurality of blocks includes a top face including a plurality of fine grooves. The plurality of fine grooves are spaced apart from each other, are arranged side by side in the second direction, and extend from upstream to downstream in a first direction. A width of each of the plurality of fine grooves in the second direction is less than a width of a block clearance in the second direction. Both end portions of the top face in the second direction are located above bottoms of the plurality of fine grooves in a cross section of the block extending along a plane perpendicular to the first direction.