Impeller with Inclined and Reverse Blades for Quiet RPT Blowers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing impellers for respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) devices face challenges in achieving a balance between cost-effectiveness, quiet operation, and efficiency, particularly due to manufacturing complexities and differing aerodynamic requirements compared to other fields.
Innovation Solution
The development of an impeller design for RPT devices featuring a hub with inclined and reverse inclined blades, optimized for injection molding to reduce costs and enhance manufacturability, while also incorporating features like serrations to skew pressure pulses and reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional impeller designs are used for RPT devices, then manufacturing complexity increases and costs rise, but aerodynamic performance and operational quietness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller blades are segmented into two distinct types - inclined blades and reverse inclined blades - arranged in an alternating pattern. This segmentation allows each blade type to perform specific aerodynamic functions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized production methods for each blade type.
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller employs asymmetric blade designs where inclined blades have one orientation and reverse inclined blades have the opposite orientation. This asymmetry is strategically designed to skew pressure pulses in opposite directions, causing them to cancel each other out and reduce noise, while maintaining compatibility with injection molding processes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If complex impeller geometries are implemented to reduce noise, then manufacturing complexity and costs increase, but operational quietness improves
Solution Approach 1:
The noise reduction is achieved through local geometric features of the blades - specifically the inclination angle and skew - rather than through complex overall impeller geometry. Each blade has optimized local characteristics that contribute to pressure pulse skewing, while the global impeller structure remains simple and suitable for injection molding.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional blade designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but aerodynamic efficiency and pressure generation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The blade design incorporates dynamic aerodynamic features - the inclined and reverse inclined configurations - that optimize pressure generation during rotation. These dynamic geometric features enhance the impeller's ability to generate pressure while maintaining compatibility with injection molding manufacturing processes.
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
The proposed impeller design improves the cost-effectiveness, quiet operation, and efficiency of RPT devices, addressing the specific aerodynamic and manufacturing challenges of the field.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating features like serrations to skew pressure pulses and reduce noise
Data Source
AI summary
An impeller for use in a centrifugal blower, the impeller includes a hub defining an axis of rotation for the impeller; a plurality of inclined blades, the plurality of inclined blades extending away from the hub; and a plurality of reverse inclined blades, the plurality of reverse inclined blades extending away from the hub. Each of the plurality of inclined blades are joined to an adjacent inclined blade at least in part by a reverse inclined blade.