Fan Wheel Blade Elevations for Particle Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan wheels in cooking appliances suffer from uneven fluid flow and increased wear due to specified direction of rotation, leading to manufacturing complexity and reduced control over fluid circulation, as well as high inertia due to thick blades for separation elements.
Innovation Solution
The fan wheel design integrates elevations and depressions directly into the fan blades, allowing for fluid separation without specifying a direction of rotation, reducing blade thickness, and eliminating the need for separate parts, thus enhancing separation efficiency and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate separating elements are attached to fan wheel blades, then particle separation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separating elements are integrated directly into the fan wheel blades as integral structures, merging the blade and separation function into a single component. This eliminates separate parts and assembly steps while maintaining effective particle separation through the geometric design of the blade profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan wheel blades serve multiple functions simultaneously: they move the fluid radially outward and provide particle separation through their integrated geometric profile. The blade design combines propulsion and separation functions in one universal element, reducing overall device complexity.
2Strength
If fan wheel blades are made thick to hold separating elements, then structural strength is improved, but inertia increases reducing speed control precision
Solution Approach 1:
The blade design implements local geometric features (elevations and depressions) that provide separation function only where needed, rather than requiring uniformly thick blades throughout. This localized approach maintains structural strength at critical areas while minimizing overall blade mass and inertia.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the blade profile to include integral elevations and depressions that provide separation functionality. This parameter modification allows thin blades to achieve both structural adequacy and separation performance, reducing inertia while maintaining strength.
3Ease of operation
If fan wheel is designed for specific rotation direction, then fluid flow direction is controlled, but adaptability to different operating conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The blade profile features asymmetric elevations and depressions that are positioned to provide effective separation regardless of rotation direction. The asymmetric geometry is designed so that particles are separated by the leading edge features whether the wheel rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, providing adaptability while maintaining flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan wheel design creates a universal component that functions effectively in both rotation directions. The integral separating elements are positioned and shaped to provide separation functionality regardless of rotation sense, making the device adaptable to different operating conditions while maintaining fluid flow control.
4Ease of manufacture
If integral elevations and depressions are formed in blades, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elevations and depressions are formed as integral features during the primary blade manufacturing process, combining the separation element creation with blade fabrication. This merging of operations reduces the number of manufacturing steps and eliminates separate assembly operations, lowering overall manufacturing cost despite the complexity of the integral geometry.
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 provides a structurally simple, cost-effective fan wheel with improved separation capabilities, reduced inertia, and increased control over fluid circulation, while ensuring efficient particle and liquid separation without gaps for better hygiene and reduced manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
when the fan wheel rotates, regardless of the direction of rotation with respect to the axis of rotation, a fluid is pumped by means of the fan wheel into conveyed in a radial direction away from the axis of rotation
Implementation Method 2
at least one first separating element, which has at least one first elevation extending away from the first surface, is arranged on a first surface of the first fan wheel blade... particles that are entrained in the fluid to be circulated are separated and deflected
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2d
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The wheel (1) has a blade (7) rotated around a rotational axis (d), and a separating element arranged on an upper surface (29) of the blade. Another separating element is arranged on another upper surface of the blade lying opposite to the former upper surface, and the blade is arranged on a base plate (3). The separating elements include raising units that extend away from the upper surfaces of the blade, where the raising units are integrally formed with the blade. A cover ring is arranged on a side of the blade facing away from the base plate. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a cooking appliance comprising a cooking chamber (2) a method for depositing a fluid dispersed particle from fluid by a fan wheel.