Illumination Fan Compact Design via Axial Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination fans face challenges with manufacturing tolerances leading to insufficient space for light guides, resulting in oversized designs due to the need for larger assembly spaces, which compromises both size and appearance.
Innovation Solution
The illumination fan design incorporates a first frame with an accommodation space and a second frame with a flat inner surface, where the fan blade is rotatably disposed, and the light guide is positioned on the first frame surrounding the fan blade, with protrusions fitting into openings, allowing for a compact size without the second frame obstructing the light guide in a radial direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a relatively large space is formed in the frame to ensure assembling yield rate, then the light guide can be properly accommodated, but the size of the illumination fan becomes extremely large
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is repositioned from being accommodated in the radial space between frames to being mounted on the surface of the first frame in an axial direction. This dimensional change allows the light guide to be positioned above the fan blade rather than radially outward, reducing the fan's overall radial size while ensuring proper accommodation during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure is divided into a first frame and a second frame with distinct functional zones. The first frame serves as the mounting platform for the light guide, while the second frame provides structural support. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's position and function, resolving the conflict between assembly reliability and compact size.
2Volume of moving object
If the second frame is positioned close to the fan blade to reduce size, then compactness is improved, but the light guide cannot be properly accommodated due to manufacturing tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide mounting position is moved from the radial dimension (between frames) to the axial dimension (on the first frame surface). This eliminates the conflict between radial compactness and light guide accommodation, as the light guide no longer competes for radial space with the second frame while still being properly positioned for assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The first frame acts as an intermediary mounting platform for the light guide, separating the light guide from the radial space between frames. This intermediary structure allows the light guide to be securely positioned without requiring additional radial clearance, thereby maintaining compact fan size while ensuring proper accommodation.
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 configuration enables a more compact and aesthetically appealing illumination fan by ensuring proper light guide accommodation without the need for excessive space, reducing the fan's radial size while maintaining effective light emission.
Implementation Method 1
The light source is disposed on either the first frame or the second frame. The light guide is disposed on the first frame and surrounds the fan blade.
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination fan includes a first frame, a second frame, a fan blade, a light guide and a light source. The first frame includes an accommodation space. The second frame is assembled with the first frame, and an inner surface of the second frame is substantially flat. The fan blade is rotatably disposed in the accommodation space. The light source is disposed on either the first frame or the second frame. The light guide is disposed on the first frame and surrounds the fan blade.