Fan Motor Diagonal Flow Impeller Reducing Flow Path Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fan motors suffer from high flow path loss and poor flow path efficiency due to the use of centrifugal impellers and axial flow diffusers, which result in a vaneless section with no guiding vanes and short vane lengths, leading to inefficient air discharge and reduced overall motor efficiency, especially in downsized and high-speed applications.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a diagonal flow impeller and a diffuser with both axial and diagonal flow vanes, where the impeller's hub is inclined and the diffuser's vanes are strategically positioned to minimize the vaneless section and maximize vane length, reducing flow path loss and enhancing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a centrifugal impeller with hub line extending in diameter direction is used, then the impeller structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the flow is rapidly turned at almost 90 degrees causing heavy flow path loss and poor flow path efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpeller structure simplicityVSAvoidflow path loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the flow direction parameter from 90 degrees (diameter direction) to approximately 45 degrees (diagonal direction) by redesigning the impeller blade angle and hub line orientation. This parameter change reduces the flow turning angle, thereby decreasing flow path loss while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard impeller design modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If an axial flow diffuser with vanes provided in axial direction is used, then the diffuser structure is simple, but the flow coming out of impeller is rapidly turned causing heavy flow path loss and poor flow path efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffuser structure simplicityVSAvoidflow path loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the vane arrangement parameter from purely axial direction to a combination of axial and diagonal directions. The diagonal flow vanes are positioned to match the 45-degree flow direction from the impeller, reducing rapid flow turning and associated energy losses while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If a long vaneless section is provided between impeller and diffuser, then the impeller and diffuser can be independently designed, but the flow path loss is heavy and flow path efficiency is poor due to absence of guiding vanes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent design capabilityVSAvoidflow path loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the flow guidance function from the diffuser vanes and extends it into the vaneless section by positioning the diagonal flow vanes to start closer to the impeller outlet. This extraction of the guidance function into the previously vaneless region reduces flow path loss while allowing the impeller and diffuser to remain separately manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Volume of moving object

If the length of vane of diffuser is short, then the diffuser structure is compact, but the flow cannot be guided effectively resulting in small diffuser effect and poor flow path efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffuser sizeVSAvoidflow path loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the effective vane length parameter by extending the diagonal flow vanes to start closer to the impeller outlet and increase their axial length. This parameter change enhances flow guidance effectiveness and diffuser performance while maintaining a compact overall structure through optimized vane geometry and positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration significantly reduces flow path loss and improves flow path efficiency, increasing the suction capability and overall efficiency of the fan motor by guiding air more effectively and minimizing the vaneless section, while allowing for a longer vane length that enhances the diffusing effect.

Implementation Method 1

as the related art employs a centrifugal impeller, a centrifugal flow is generated from the impeller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

a diffuser may include a hub and a multitude of vanes provided to the hub

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3763946A1Motor fan
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3763946A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3763946A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3763946A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a fan motor. The present disclosure provides a fan motor including a motor housing receiving a motor therein, an impeller coupled to a shaft of the motor, and a diffuser disposed between the motor and the impeller and having an axial flow vane and a diagonal flow vane.