Inclined-Blade Fan Wheel With End-Plate Diffusion Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan wheels in air handling boxes face inefficiencies in redirecting air flow from a radial direction to an axial direction, leading to suboptimal performance, and attempts to address this have resulted in increased space requirements or the need for additional flow guiding plates, which are not always feasible.
Innovation Solution
The fan wheel design incorporates end plates with a diffusion space and profiled blades inclined relative to the rotation axis, allowing for optimal air flow redirection without the need for additional space or guiding plates, achieving a 4% increase in efficiency while maintaining a low sound power level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the size of the air handling box is increased to reserve more space for redirecting air flow, then the air flow redirection efficiency is improved, but the space availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air flow redirection function into the end plates themselves by adding outer portions that protrude radially outward beyond the blade outer edges. This integration eliminates the need for separate flow guiding plates or additional space, as the end plates perform both structural support and flow redirection functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension by extending the end plate outer portions beyond the blade outer edges in the radial direction. This creates a diffusion space that efficiently redirects air flow without requiring additional axial or lateral space, effectively using the available radial space for flow control.
2Productivity
If flow guiding plates are used inside the box to redirect air flow, then the air flow redirection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flow guiding function with the existing end plates by adding outer portions to them. This eliminates the need for separate flow guiding plates, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective air flow redirection.
Solution Approach 2:
The end plates are designed to serve multiple functions: providing structural support for the blades, defining the fan wheel boundaries, and redirecting air flow through their protruding outer portions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized components.
3Productivity
If additional space is reserved for redirecting air flow, then the air flow redirection efficiency is improved, but the air handling box size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates the diffusion space in the radial direction by extending end plate outer portions beyond the blade outer edges. This allows efficient air flow redirection without increasing the axial length or lateral dimensions of the air handling box, maintaining a compact overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the flow redirection space within the existing end plate structure rather than adding separate components or increasing overall box dimensions. The diffusion space is formed by the radial protrusion of end plate portions, utilizing existing structural space efficiently.
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 efficiently redirects air flow, minimizing collisions with box walls and allowing for a smaller air handling box size without additional guiding plates, resulting in improved fan wheel performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
blades (5) which are joined to the first and the second end plate in such a way that the blades (5) together with the first (2) and second (3) end plate limit openings (6) allowing outflow from the fan wheel while the fan wheel is rotated as illustrated by arrow (7) around the rotation axis (9)
Implementation Method 2
the air flowing out from the fan wheel in a radial direction needs to be redirected in the axial direction
Implementation Method 3
The first and the second end plate have outer portions (11, 12) which protrude radially outward beyond the outer edges (8) of the blades (5) such that an outwardly open diffusion space is delimited by the outer portions (11, 12) and the blades (5)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4a
Figure 4b~4e
AI summary
Fan wheel (1) comprising a first (2) and second (3) end plate, and blades (5) arranged between the first (2) and the second (3) end plate and joined to the first and the second end plate. In order to obtain an efficient fan wheel the outer surfaces (31) of the blades (5) are inclined in relation to the rotation axis (9) of the fan wheel (1), the first (2) and second (3) end plate have outer portions which protrude radially outward beyond the outer edges (8) of the blades, the outer portion of the first end plate (2) is generally curved or inclined towards the second end plate (3) and the outer portion (12) of the second end plate (3) is generally curved or inclined away from the first end plate (2), and the blades (5) are profiled to have a profile where the thickness of the blades vary between the outer edges (8) of the blades (5) and the inner edges (14) of the blades.