Fan Frame Curved Rib Structural Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional axial fan frames deform during usage, leading to variations in airflow rate and noise generation due to their simple and weak structure.
Innovation Solution
A fan frame design featuring a housing, shaft seat, curved rib, first ribs, and second ribs, where the ribs are arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically to form airflow areas with specific included angles and arc portions, enhancing mechanical strength and airflow regulation, and using different materials like metal, plastic, and anti-vibration materials to reduce noise and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple and weak fan frame structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the structural strength deteriorates leading to deformation during usage
Solution Approach 1:
The fan frame is divided into multiple functional components: housing, shaft seat, curved rib, first ribs, and second ribs. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction where the housing and ribs can be made from different materials optimized for their specific requirements. The curved rib and straight ribs provide structural reinforcement while the housing provides airflow management, creating a composite structure that achieves high strength without excessive complexity.
2Device complexity
If a simple fan frame structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to deformation and noise generation
Solution Approach 1:
The curved rib is introduced with specific curvature between the shaft seat and housing. This curved structure provides superior mechanical strength and resistance to deformation compared to straight ribs, while also improving airflow characteristics. The curvature allows the rib to better distribute stresses and maintain structural integrity under operational loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The arrangement of first ribs and second ribs around the shaft seat follows specific angular patterns that are asymmetric in configuration. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the structural reinforcement at critical locations while maintaining balanced airflow characteristics, improving reliability without requiring complete symmetry throughout the structure.
3Strength
If the fan frame structure is strengthened to prevent deformation, then the structural strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each rib structure serves multiple functions: the curved rib provides both structural reinforcement and airflow guidance, while the first and second ribs simultaneously support the housing and define airflow passages. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, maintaining simplicity while achieving high structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing, shaft seat, and ribs are merged into an integrated structure where the ribs extend continuously between these components. This merging eliminates the need for separate fastening mechanisms or additional structural elements, achieving high structural integrity through a unified design that reduces overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A fan frame includes a housing, a shaft seat, a curved rib, a plurality of first ribs, and a plurality of second ribs. The shaft seat is disposed at the center of the housing. The curved rib is disposed between the housing and the shaft seat. The first ribs extend through the curved rib and connect the shaft seat to the housing, and the second ribs connect the curved rib to the shaft seat.