Multi-blade Fan Impeller with Offset Intermediate Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-blade fan impellers face issues with increased gasflow resistance and manufacturing complexity when rotating at high speeds, particularly due to the placement and design of intermediate rings, which can lead to deformation and manufacturing time constraints when made as integrated plastic products.

Innovation Solution

The impeller design features an intermediate ring positioned opposite to the endplate, with a cross-section that is 'L'-shaped and not overlapping the blades, allowing for reduced gasflow resistance and enabling high-speed rotation while being integrally molded from plastic, with specific placement and thickness configurations to minimize deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the impeller is caused to rotate at high speed, then gas-blowing performance is improved and the impeller size can be reduced, but the centrifugal force increases causing impeller deformation and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation speedVSAvoidimpeller structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The impeller is divided into multiple independent components: endplate, blades, end ring, and intermediate ring. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently and assembled into a balanced structure that can withstand high-speed rotation without excessive deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate ring is strategically positioned at a specific location between the endplate and end ring to provide localized reinforcement where needed. This local quality enhancement strengthens the impeller structure at critical areas without adding unnecessary weight or complexity throughout the entire structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If an intermediate ring is provided through the inner peripheral edges of the blades from the outer peripheral edges, then impeller deformation from centrifugal force is reduced, but gasflow resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpeller stabilityVSAvoidgasflow resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate ring is extracted from the blade structure and positioned independently in the space between the endplate and end ring. This separation removes the harmful interaction between the ring and blade gasflow paths while preserving the structural reinforcement benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate ring is positioned in the axial dimension (between endplate and end ring) rather than radially through the blades. This dimensional relocation eliminates gasflow resistance caused by radial obstruction while maintaining structural stability through axial reinforcement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the impeller is manufactured as an integrated plastic product with an intermediate ring, then manufacturing complexity increases and production time is extended, but structural stability is improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpeller stabilityVSAvoidmolding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The impeller is designed as a segmented structure that can be molded separately and assembled. This allows each component to be optimized for its specific molding requirements and simplifies the overall manufacturing process compared to attempting to mold a complex integrated structure with an intermediate ring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design minimizes gasflow resistance and allows for high-speed rotation while simplifying the manufacturing process by enabling the impeller to be molded as an integrated plastic product, reducing the risk of deformation and manufacturing time.

Implementation Method 1

when the former of the above-described impellers of the multi-blade fan is caused to rotate at high speed, the centrifugal force acting on the impeller increases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2096318B1Impeller for multi-blade fan
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2096318B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2096318B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2096318B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An impeller of a multi-blade fan, wherein any gasflow resistance increase is minimized when gas is blown from inside the impeller through an outer peripheral side thereof; and it is possible to integrally mold the impeller from a plastic material, allowing the impeller to rotate at high speed. The impeller (1) of a multi-blade fan is an impeller of a multi-blade fan for sucking in gas along a direction of a rotational shaft (3), and blowing out gas toward a direction intersecting the rotational shaft (3); and comprises a substantially circular endplate (11) that rotates about the rotational shaft (3), a plurality of blades (12), and one or more intermediate rings (14). The plurality of blades (12) is annularly disposed around the rotational shaft (3) on one or both sides of the endplate (11), one end of each of the blades being provided to an outer peripheral portion of the endplate (11). The intermediate ring (14) is formed in a position other than an end of the plurality of blades (12) on a side opposite to the endplate (11), the intermediate ring being formed so as not to overlap the plurality of blades (12) as seen from the direction of the rotational shaft, and so as to link together outer peripheral edges of each of the blades (12).