Portable Fan Impeller Coupling With Elastic Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable fans often produce undesirable vibrational noise due to the interaction between the motor and impeller, which existing designs fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A motor assembly that includes an electric motor with an output shaft, an impeller coupled to the output shaft, an adapter positioned between the output shaft and the impeller, and an elastic member, such as an O-ring, which is compressed during installation to an elastically deformed state to reduce vibrations by maintaining a minimal axial compression and preventing axial movement of the impeller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the impeller is rigidly coupled to the motor output shaft, then the power transmission efficiency is improved, but the vibrational noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic member (O-ring) is introduced as an intermediary element between the motor output shaft and the impeller. This elastic member transmits rotational power while simultaneously absorbing vibrational energy, thus reducing noise without significantly compromising power transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the motor shaft and impeller is changed from rigid to elastic by compressing the elastic member axially. This parameter change allows the connection to be non-rigid in the axial direction (reducing vibration) while maintaining rotational coupling (transmitting power)
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the impeller is loosely coupled to the motor output shaft, then the vibrational noise is reduced, but the power transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member serves as a mediator that maintains sufficient contact pressure between the motor shaft and impeller to transmit power effectively, while its elastic properties prevent rigid coupling that would transmit vibrations
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member (O-ring) acts as a flexible element that deforms under compression to accommodate minor misalignments and vibrations, maintaining power transmission through elastic deformation rather than rigid mechanical contact
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 effectively reduces unwanted vibrations and noise in portable fans by maintaining a non-rigid connection between the adapter and the impeller, ensuring quieter operation compared to conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member positioned between the impeller and the adapter. The elastic member is configured to be compressed by the impeller in response to installation of the impeller upon the adapter, from an undeformed state to an elastically deformed state
Data Source
AI summary
A fan and a motor assembly. The motor assembly includes an electric motor with an output shaft defining a rotational axis, an impeller coupled to the output shaft for co-rotation therewith, an adapter positioned between the output shaft and the impeller, and an elastic member positioned between the adapter and the impeller. The elastic member is configured to be compressed by the impeller in response to installation of the impeller upon the adapter, from an undeformed state to an elastically deformed state, in which the elastic member is compressed in a direction of the rotational axis.