Impeller Hub Adhesive Assembly for Low-Imbalance Motor Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for connecting an impeller to an external rotor motor require additional parts like sheet metal blanks, increasing material and tool costs, and often result in imbalances due to the need for precise centering, which can be costly and complex to achieve.

Innovation Solution

A secure rotary connection is achieved through physical and/or chemical interactions between an adhesive medium and the contact surfaces of the impeller hub and motor, eliminating the need for sheet metal blanks by filling the gap between them with adhesive, which also provides centering and mechanical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a press fit with sheet metal blank is used to connect impeller to motor, then mechanical stability and strength are ensured, but additional parts and manufacturing complexity are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the sheet metal blank from the connection system, replacing it with an adhesive medium. The adhesive is injected directly into the clearance space between the impeller hub and motor rotor, eliminating the need for the separate metal reinforcement component while maintaining connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the connection mechanism from mechanical (press fit with metal blank) to chemical/physical (adhesive bonding). By utilizing the adhesive medium's bonding properties and filling the clearance space, the connection strength is maintained through different physical-chemical parameters rather than mechanical interlocking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If clearance between impeller and motor is minimized for press fit, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidclearance precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive medium acts as an intermediary substance that fills the clearance space between the impeller hub and motor rotor. This intermediary allows for a deliberate clearance (0.05-3 mm) to exist while still achieving a secure connection, as the adhesive bonds the two components across this gap rather than requiring direct mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If adhesive medium is used to fill the gap between impeller and motor, then additional parts are eliminated, but connection reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparts quantityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of the sheet metal blank and the adhesive medium into a single adhesive-based connection system. The adhesive medium simultaneously provides bonding, fills the clearance space, and eliminates the need for separate metal reinforcement parts, combining multiple functions into one substance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system utilizes composite material properties by employing an adhesive medium that combines chemical bonding capabilities with physical filling of the clearance space. This composite approach (chemical + physical bonding) replaces the mechanical metal blank while achieving comparable or superior connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Object-generated harmful factors

If centering is precisely achieved for press fit connection, then imbalance is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveimbalanceVSAvoidcentering complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive medium provides self-centering functionality by uniformly filling the clearance space around the impeller hub. As the adhesive cures, it naturally distributes forces evenly around the circumference, automatically compensating for minor misalignments and reducing imbalance without requiring complex external centering mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution simplifies production, reduces material costs, and ensures a secure, stress-free connection without the need for additional stabilization, while minimizing imbalances by using centering webs and an annular space filled with adhesive medium.

Implementation Method 1

the connection of the impeller to the motor results from physical and/or chemical interactions between an adhesive medium and the mutually facing contact surfaces of the impeller hub and the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3177835B1Assembly of an impeller mounted on an electromotor and manufacture method of the assembly
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 ZIEHL ABEGG AG
  • EP3177835B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3177835B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3177835B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An arrangement of an impeller wheel (1) on an electric motor, in particular on an external-rotor motor (8), wherein the torque of the motor is transferred to the impeller wheel (1) by a conjoint rotary connection between the rotor (8) of the motor and the impeller wheel (1) and/or the impeller wheel hub (3) thereof, is characterised in that the connection of the impeller wheel (1) to the motor (8) is the result of physical and/or chemical interactions between an adhesive medium (10) and the mutually facing contact surfaces (5) of the impeller wheel hub (3) and of the motor (8), wherein the adhesive medium (10) at least partially fills an intermediate space (9) formed by the play between the impeller wheel (1) and the motor (8).