Fan Fixing Plate with Quick-Release Attachment for Easy Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation fans are difficult to clean due to permanent mounting, which requires detachment from the surface, leading to time consumption, potential surface weakening, and increased risk of failure, especially in environments like hotels where frequent cleaning is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A fixing plate with quick-release attachment members and electrical connection terminals allows fans to be easily mounted and detached without tools, ensuring secure and safe electrical connections, enabling one-handed operation and maintaining the integrity of the surface attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fans are permanently mounted to the surface using screws, then the fan is secure and positioned correctly, but cleaning becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into three main segments: the fixing plate mounted to the surface, the fan unit, and the quick release attachment members connecting them. This segmentation allows the fan to be easily separated from the fixing plate for cleaning while the fixing plate remains securely mounted to the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick release attachment members enable dynamic transition between fixed and removable states. The fan can be quickly attached to or detached from the fixing plate by simple manual operation, transforming the static permanent mounting into a dynamic system that adapts to cleaning needs.
2Ease of operation
If the fan is detached from the surface for cleaning, then access for cleaning is improved, but the surface attachment is weakened and may fail
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing plate is designed as a separate permanent component that remains mounted to the surface, while the fan attaches and detaches independently. This segmentation ensures the surface attachment (fixing plate) is not repeatedly stressed by attachment/detachment cycles, maintaining its strength and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick release attachment members act as intermediaries between the fan and the fixing plate. They absorb the mechanical stress of repeated attachment and detachment operations, protecting the permanent fixing plate-surface connection from weakening while still enabling easy fan removal for cleaning.
3Reliability
If conventional manual wiring is required for each fan installation and removal, then electrical connection is secure, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires professional electricians
Solution Approach 1:
The quick release attachment members are merged with integrated electrical connection terminals. When the fan is attached to the fixing plate, both the mechanical connection and electrical connection are established simultaneously through the same attachment action, eliminating separate wiring steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection system is designed to be self-servicing through the quick release mechanism. Users can attach or detach the fan without professional electrician assistance, and the electrical connections are automatically made or broken through the same manual operation, making the system user-friendly and safe for non-experts.
4Reliability
If the fan is mounted at high positions requiring a ladder, then optimal ventilation coverage is achieved, but the risk of accidental detachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quick release attachment members are designed with asymmetric geometry and directional engagement features that prevent accidental detachment. The fan can only be removed by applying deliberate force in the correct direction, making accidental detachment due to vibration or movement highly unlikely even when mounted at high positions.
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
A fixing plate 2 for a fan comprises at least one mount point 10 for mounting the fixing plate to a fixed surface and at least one first attachment member 12 for removably attaching a fan to the fixing plate. The fixing plate is arranged to be electrically connected to a power supply 17 and the fixing plate further comprises at least one electrical connection terminal 16 which is arranged to electrically connect the power supply to the fan when the fan is attached to the fixing plate.