Fan Wheel Reinforcement Ring Axial Projections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fan wheels face challenges in maintaining strength, particularly at the critical transition area between the base plate and fan blades, due to high operating speeds and heavy loads.

Innovation Solution

A fan wheel design incorporating a reinforcing ring with axial projections that extend into the fan blades, enhancing the base disk and blade strength, allowing for the use of cost-effective materials and flexible design options, and featuring a geometric shape that adapts to operational stresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the base plate and fan blades are made stronger to withstand high operating speeds and heavy loads, then the strength increases, but the weight and material cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing ring with axial projections provides localized strengthening at the critical transition area between the base plate and fan blades, rather than uniformly thickening the entire impeller body. This allows the base plate and blades to be made of lighter, more cost-effective materials while maintaining strength where it is most needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines different materials strategically - the reinforcing ring is made of high-strength material (metal or high-strength plastic) while the base plate and fan blades can use lighter, more corrosion-resistant materials. This composite approach optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio of the overall impeller assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If high-strength materials are used for the base plate and fan blades, then the load capacity increases, but the material cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload capacityVSAvoidmaterial cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using expensive high-strength materials throughout the entire impeller, the reinforcing ring provides localized strengthening at the critical transition area. This allows the majority of the base plate and fan blades to be made of more cost-effective materials, reducing overall material cost while maintaining load capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing ring acts as a concentrated strength element that can be optimized independently. By placing the expensive high-strength material only where absolutely necessary (in the reinforcing ring at the critical transition zone), the overall material cost is reduced while still achieving the required load capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If the impeller design is optimized for maximum strength, then the load capacity increases, but the design flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload capacityVSAvoiddesign freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The impeller is segmented into functionally distinct components: the base plate, fan blades, and reinforcing ring. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized - the base plate and blades can be designed for aerodynamic performance and corrosion resistance, while the reinforcing ring is specifically designed for structural strength at the critical transition area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing ring with its axial projections provides localized structural support that allows the base plate and fan blades to be designed with greater freedom. The designers can optimize the blade geometry and base plate configuration for aerodynamic efficiency and corrosion resistance without being constrained by the need for uniform high strength throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4015836B1Fan wheel with reinforcement ring
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 EBM PAPST MULFINGEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4015836B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4015836B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4015836B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fan wheel with at least one base disk and a plurality of fan wheel blades formed around an axis of rotation of the fan wheel, which extend axially from the base disk and each form a flow channel between themselves together with the base disk, wherein a reinforcing ring is arranged inside the base disk, which has a plurality of axial projections that extend axially into the fan wheel blades and thus reinforces both the base disk and the fan wheel blades.