Universal Fan Shaft Mounting Plate for Spatially Constrained Engines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine fan mounting systems are limited by spatial constraints, requiring multiple mounting plates or additional holes in the engine, which increase manufacturing costs and reduce design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A universal mounting plate that allows the fan shaft to be installed in multiple positions using a single plate, enabling rotational adjustment to fit various spatial constraints through a rotational motion, reducing the need for multiple plates or additional engine holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mounting plates or additional holes are used to accommodate different spatial requirements, then the engine can be installed in various positions, but the manufacturing cost increases and design flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is designed with multiple sets of mounting holes arranged in different orientations and positions, allowing a single universal mounting plate to accommodate various spatial requirements for engine installation. This eliminates the need for multiple different mounting plates while maintaining adaptability to different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate is segmented into multiple functional zones with different hole patterns, each capable of accommodating specific spatial constraints. By dividing the mounting plate into these functional segments, the design achieves versatility without requiring separate mounting plates for each application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mounting plates are used to fit different spatial constraints, then various applications are accommodated, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal mounting plate design incorporates multiple hole patterns that can accommodate different spatial constraints across various applications. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and installed, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining application compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of multiple different mounting plates into a single universal mounting plate by integrating multiple hole patterns into one component. This consolidation eliminates the need to manufacture and manage multiple separate parts, reducing overall manufacturing costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional holes are formed in the engine for different mounting positions, then fan installation flexibility is improved, but design freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mounting flexibility requirement from the engine structure itself and relocates it to a separate universal mounting plate. This allows the engine to maintain its original design integrity while the mounting plate provides the necessary flexibility for different installation positions through its multiple hole patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal mounting plate acts as an intermediary component between the engine and the fan assembly. It provides the mounting position flexibility through its multiple hole patterns without requiring any modifications to the engine design, thereby preserving engine design freedom while achieving mounting versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mounting plate includes a body configured to be coupled to an engine in a plurality of positions each of the plurality of positions being achieved via a rotational translation of the body, and a fan shaft mounting hole formed in the body. A first location of the fan shaft mounting hole in at least one of the plurality of positions of the body is changed relative to a second location of the fan shaft mounting hole in at least one of the plurality of positions of the body. The mounting plate further including a plurality of body mounting holes extending through the body and configured to receive a fastener for coupling the body to the engine.