Industrial Fan Joint With Spring-Locked Angle Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large industrial fans are too heavy for standard stands or mounts, causing wear and inefficiency in air flow due to the weight-induced angling or pointing downward.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable joint with a first pair of flanges, a first head, and a torsion spring, along with a plurality of compression springs, allows for the adjustment and stabilization of the fan at a desired angle, supporting the fan's weight and maintaining efficient air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a heavy industrial fan is mounted on a standard stand, then the fan can be elevated off the floor, but the weight of the fan causes wear on the joint and results in inefficient air flow due to the fan angling downward
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a counterbalancing mechanism where a weight is positioned on opposite side of the joint from the fan, creating a counter moment that offsets the fan's weight-induced angling. This counterweight system directly addresses the joint stability issue by balancing the gravitational forces acting on the adjustable joint assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes spring mechanisms (both torsion springs and compression springs) that can be adjusted to change the stiffness and damping parameters of the joint. By modifying these mechanical parameters, the system can accommodate the fan's weight while maintaining proper angular positioning and reducing wear on the joint components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fan is mounted on an adjustable stand to change the angle, then the fan can be positioned at desired angles, but the weight of the fan causes the joint to wear out and the fan to inadvertently angle or point downward over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-adjustable spring tension mechanisms that are configured before the fan is mounted. These springs are pre-loaded to provide the necessary counter-moments and stabilizing forces, so that when the fan is installed, the joint is already positioned and stabilized at the correct angle without requiring subsequent adjustments or risking drift over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanisms in the patent provide continuous mechanical feedback to the joint system. As the fan's weight or external forces attempt to change the joint angle, the springs respond by exerting restoring forces that push the joint back toward its intended position, thereby maintaining stable angular positioning despite the heavy load.
3Strength
If a heavy-duty joint is used to support the fan weight, then the joint can support the fan without wearing out, but the complexity and cost of the joint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spring elements as intermediary components between the fan and the joint structure. These springs act as mediators that absorb and distribute the fan's weight loads through elastic deformation, reducing the peak stresses on the joint while maintaining a relatively simple joint design without requiring overly robust or complex support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable spring tension mechanisms that allow the load-bearing parameters of the joint to be modified. By changing the spring pre-load and stiffness, the system can optimize the load distribution and joint stress levels, achieving adequate load capacity without requiring a permanently heavy-duty joint design.
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 adjustable joint effectively supports large industrial fans at desired angles, preventing wear and ensuring efficient air flow by distributing the fan's weight and maintaining stability over extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring disposed between the first head and the first pair of flanges
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of compression springs are disposed within the first head, wherein each of the plurality of compression springs are specifically configured to drive a pin from within the first head through one of a plurality of selection apertures
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable joint for coupling large industrial fans to stands, wall mounts, and the like. The adjustable joint includes a motor plate coupled to a first end of a double headed connector and a receiver coupled to an opposing end of the double head connector. The connector is substantially symmetrical and comprises a first head disposed at one end and a second head disposed at an opposing end. Each head is configured to rotate with respect to the motor plate and the receiver, respectively, when a sufficient rotational force is applied to the fan. Each head includes a torsion spring which sets a threshold amount of force required to rotate the fan, ensuring that that fan does not move unless manipulated by a user. Each head also includes means for selectively disposing the fan at one of a number of predetermined angled positions relative to the adjustable joint.