Impeller with Segmented Blades and Structural Ribs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling fans with reduced blade thickness for miniaturization suffer from blade instability and noise due to air resistance, as the interconnection methods, such as using a ring, fail to sufficiently secure the blades.
Innovation Solution
An impeller design featuring a hub with blades and ribs where the ribs extend from the outer periphery of the hub to connect with the blades, securing them in position and preventing shaking or deformation during rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the thickness of the blades is reduced to miniaturize the cooling fan, then the size of the cooling fan is reduced, but the strength of the blades is lowered and blade stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is segmented into multiple thickness regions: a first thickness in the radial direction at the root portion, and a second thickness smaller than the first thickness at the tip portion. This segmentation allows the blade to have sufficient strength at the root where it connects to the hub, while maintaining a smaller overall size through reduced thickness at the tip.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the blade are given different thickness characteristics to meet local requirements. The root portion maintains greater thickness for strength and connection stability, while the tip portion has reduced thickness to minimize size and weight, achieving local optimization of both strength and compactness.
2Volume of moving object
If the thickness of the blades is reduced to miniaturize the cooling fan, then the size of the cooling fan is reduced, but blade stability during rotation deteriorates due to air resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The blade thickness is segmented radially, with the root portion having greater thickness for stability during rotation and the tip portion having reduced thickness for miniaturization. This segmentation allows the blade to resist air resistance effectively at the root while maintaining compact dimensions overall.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade exhibits local quality variations in thickness to address different functional requirements. The root portion's greater thickness provides local stability against air resistance during rotation, while the tip portion's reduced thickness contributes to overall miniaturization.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional interconnection methods such as using a ring are used to secure the blades, then the blades can be positioned, but the interconnection is insufficient to prevent shaking and deformation due to reduced blade strength
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a separate ring component for interconnection, the invention integrates the interconnection function into the blade itself by varying the thickness in the radial direction. This dimensional change transforms the blade from a uniform structure to a variable-thickness structure that provides inherent positioning and anti-shaking capabilities without additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnection function is merged with the blade structure itself. The variable thickness design combines the structural support function with the positioning function, eliminating the need for separate interconnection components like rings and achieving more reliable blade positioning through the blade's own geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
An impeller includes a hub, a plurality of blades coupled with the hub, and a plurality of ribs connected to the plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of ribs has a connecting end coupled with the hub. Each of the plurality of blades intersects with at least one of the plurality of ribs.