Hubbed Blade Self-Aligning Protrusion Eliminates Jig
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hubbed blade manufacturing process is complex and inefficient due to the need for a jig to align the hub and blade, which increases the complexity of bonding and reduces manufacturing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hubbed blade design featuring a circular hub with a protrusion portion that corresponds to the shape of the blade's opening, allowing for alignment and bonding without a jig, where the protrusion is inserted into the blade's opening, facilitating easy and efficient alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a jig is used to align the hub and blade during bonding, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hub and blade are designed with self-aligning features (protrusion on hub matching recess on blade) that enable automatic alignment during assembly without requiring external jigs or fixtures. The components serve their own alignment function through their geometric design.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub and blade feature asymmetric geometric elements (a protrusion on the hub and a corresponding recess on the blade) that provide unique alignment orientation. This asymmetric design ensures precise positioning while eliminating the need for complex alignment jigs.
2Manufacturing precision
If a jig is used to align the hub and blade during bonding, then alignment precision is improved, but manufacturing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The self-aligning geometric features enable rapid assembly without the time-consuming setup and operation of alignment jigs, directly improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features are pre-integrated into the hub and blade designs during manufacturing, so that alignment capability is built-in before assembly. This preliminary incorporation of alignment functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment operations during bonding.
3Ease of manufacture
If the hub and blade are designed with self-aligning features, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric protrusion and recess design provides both ease of assembly (by guiding components into correct position) and high precision (by defining a unique alignment orientation). The geometric constraint ensures that simplicity and precision are achieved simultaneously.
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 simplifies the alignment process, eliminates the need for a jig, and enhances manufacturing efficiency by ensuring accurate and straightforward assembly of the hub and blade.
Implementation Method 1
The hub and the blade are connected together via an adhesive with the hub and the blade being aligned each other with the protrusion portion inserted in the opening
Implementation Method 2
The hub and the blade are connected together via an adhesive with the hub and the blade being aligned each other with the protrusion portion inserted in the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A hubbed blade to be mounted on a spindle includes a circular hub and a circular blade fixed on a side of a first side of the hub. The blade has an opening formed through its center. The hub includes a protrusion portion protruding from the first side and having an outer peripheral edge of a shape corresponding to a shape of the opening. The hub and the blade are connected together via an adhesive with the hub and the blade being aligned each other with the protrusion portion inserted in the opening.