Fan Guard Fastening Sleeve Clamping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening solutions for fan protection grilles are inadequate in absorbing transverse force loads, often being one-piece and cohesive, which can lead to instability and breakage under the high loads generated by fan motor operation and vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device with a fastening sleeve that forms a clamping region for a first leg extending over multiple grille bars, featuring a collar to border the clamping area and an axial bracing mechanism, such as a screw connection, to create a clamping force that exceeds the transverse forces, and is designed to stabilize the free longitudinal end of the fastening strut, potentially in a hairpin shape with two legs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fastening elements are implemented as a single piece or with material bond, then manufacturing is simplified, but transverse force loads are not sufficiently absorbed and fatigue strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening element is divided into multiple separate components: a mounting strut and a fastening device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the mounting strut for structural integrity and the fastening device for transverse force absorption through its clamping mechanism with friction-based grip.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device acts as an intermediary between the mounting strut and the support surface. It provides a specialized interface that absorbs transverse forces through friction and clamping, protecting the mounting strut from direct exposure to these destabilizing loads.
2Device complexity
If fastening elements are implemented as a single piece or with material bond, then structural simplicity is maintained, but fatigue strength properties are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into distinct functional components that can be independently optimized. The mounting strut maintains structural simplicity while the separate fastening device provides enhanced fatigue resistance through its clamping and friction-based retention mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device changes the mechanical parameters at the fastening point by creating a clamped connection with controlled friction. This transforms the stress distribution and significantly improves fatigue strength properties compared to simple material bonding or single-piece construction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If attachment points are designed for high load absorption, then stability is improved, but transverse forces may still cause breakage without proper design
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device serves as a protective intermediary that absorbs and dissipates transverse forces through friction and clamping. This shields the mounting strut from direct exposure to destabilizing transverse loads while maintaining attachment stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device converts potentially harmful transverse forces into beneficial compressive clamping forces. The friction generated by these forces enhances the gripping action, transforming a destabilizing influence into a stabilizing mechanism that prevents breakage.
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 solution enhances the fatigue strength and moment capacity of the fastening point, ensuring the fastening device can absorb the actual transverse forces and maintain stability during operation, thereby increasing the service life of the fan protection grille.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping force Fsp for bracing and/or clamping is realized in the clamping area by the fastening sleeve... both the required clamping forces of the clamping area and the absorbable transverse forces are above the actually occurring transverse forces Fq, whereby the transverse forces are formed by Fq = μ * Fsp (μ corresponds to the coefficient of friction between the clamped components)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a fastening device for fastening a fastening strut for a fan guard grille (50), which has at least one first leg (11) extending in a longitudinal direction and configured to overlap several grille bars (3) of the fan guard grille (50), wherein the at least one first leg (11) has a free longitudinal end, and the fastening device (13) is arranged in the region of the free longitudinal end of the at least first leg (11), characterized in that the fastening device (13) comprises a fastening sleeve (14) configured such that at least one clamping area (19) receiving at least the first leg (11) is formed and supported.