Fan motor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fan motors for handheld vacuum cleaners face challenges in balancing reduced size and weight with maintaining suction force, as high-speed rotation leads to noise, vibration, heat generation, and inefficient cooling, which compromises motor power and suction efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The fan motor design incorporates a cooling flow path structure with an air inlet on the motor mount and an air discharge opening, allowing external air to cool the motor part without using motor power, and features a mixed-flow type impeller and diffuser to minimize flow resistance and maximize suction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the fan motor is made lightweight for handheld vacuum cleaner, then user convenience is improved, but suction capability deteriorates due to low power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases the rotational speed parameter of the fan motor to compensate for reduced weight and size. By operating at higher speeds, the lighter motor can generate sufficient suction capability while maintaining the weight reduction benefits for handheld vacuum cleaner applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a cooling flow path structure that proactively manages heat generation before it becomes problematic. By designing dedicated cooling channels and air flow paths, the system prevents overheating that would otherwise limit motor power output, thereby maintaining suction capability despite the lighter weight design.
2Power
If the fan motor rotates at high speed to increase power while reducing size and weight, then power density is improved, but noise, vibration and heat generation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated by high-speed rotation into a manageable parameter by designing a cooling flow path that utilizes the motor's operational air flow to dissipate heat. The same air flow that enables high-speed operation also serves to cool the motor, transforming a harmful byproduct into a beneficial cooling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cooling flow path structure as an intermediary system between the heat-generating motor components and the external environment. This intermediate cooling channel system mediates the heat transfer process, allowing efficient thermal management without directly interfering with the high-speed rotation mechanism.
3Temperature
If air flow is used to cool the fan motor, then heat dissipation is improved, but motor power for suction force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the air flow system to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides cooling for the motor while also maintaining the suction capability. The cooling flow path is integrated into the existing air flow system, allowing the same air intake to fulfill both cooling and suction functions without requiring separate power-consuming cooling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-cooling mechanism where the motor utilizes its own operational air flow to dissipate heat. The high-speed rotation that generates heat also creates the air flow necessary for cooling, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional power-consuming cooling components.
4Temperature
If air flow directly cools the fan motor, then cooling efficiency is improved, but flow resistance at exhaust side increases, deteriorating suction force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air flow system into distinct functional zones: a cooling flow path for heat dissipation and a suction flow path for maintaining performance. By separating these functions spatially and flow-wise, the system achieves effective cooling without creating excessive flow resistance in the exhaust path, as each zone operates independently with optimized flow characteristics.
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 enhances power, suction force, and suction efficiency while reducing the size and weight of the fan motor, minimizing power reduction and flow resistance, and allows for effective cooling without additional components or power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling flow path inlet that is located at at least one of a lateral side or a lower side of the motor mount and that is configured to receive air to reduce heat generated in the motor part
Implementation Method 2
an air discharge opening defined at the motor mount and exposed to an outer space of the motor mount, where the air discharging opening is configured to discharge air that is suctioned through the air inlet and pressurized by the impeller
Implementation Method 3
The cooling flow path outlet is configured to discharge air from the inner space of the motor mount toward a space that is defined between the impeller and the air discharge opening based on the space between the impeller and the air discharge opening having a lower pressure than the inner space of the motor mount
Data Source
AI summary
A fan motor for a vacuum cleaner includes a motor mount defining a cooling flow path inlet, an impeller, an impeller cover defining an air inlet, an air discharge opening defined at the motor mount and configured to discharge air to an outer space of the motor mount, and a cooling flow path outlet defined vertically above the motor mount. The cooling flow path inlet is configured to introduce air from the outer space of the motor mount into an inner space of the motor mount to cool the motor part, and the cooling flow path outlet is configured to discharge air from the inner space of the motor mount toward a space that is defined between the impeller and the air discharge opening based on the space between the impeller and the air discharge opening having a lower pressure than the inner space of the motor mount.