Motor Fixing Ring Structure for Inflator Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inflators suffer from inefficient heat dissipation due to their structural design, leading to motor overheating and potential damage during use.

Innovation Solution

An inflator with a motor fixing ring that creates an air gap between the motor and the casing, utilizing a cooling fan to dissipate heat, and featuring a motor fixing ring with a circular blind slot and anti-rotation notch for secure fitting, made of soft plastic for impact absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the motor is directly installed in the casing without a fixing ring, then the structure is simple, but the heat dissipation efficiency is poor leading to motor overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor temperatureVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motor fixing ring acts as an intermediary component between the motor and the casing. It creates an air gap that serves as a heat dissipation channel, allowing heat to be efficiently removed from the motor while maintaining structural integrity. The fixing ring mediates between the need for simple installation and the requirement for effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing ring is designed with segmented features including a circular blind slot for radial positioning, an anti-rotation notch for angular positioning, and lugs for securing to the casing. This segmentation allows each feature to perform its specific function independently, achieving both structural simplicity and effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If the motor fixing ring protrudes from the motor outer surface, then the motor is securely fixed, but the cooling fan cannot effectively dissipate heat through the air gap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor heat dissipationVSAvoidmotor fixation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing ring features localized engagement points rather than uniform protrusion. The circular blind slot provides radial positioning, the anti-rotation notch provides angular positioning, and the lugs provide secure attachment to the casing. This localized quality approach ensures stable fixation while maintaining a smooth outer surface that does not interfere with the air gap cooling flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If conventional fixing methods are used without a circular blind slot and anti-rotation notch, then the structure is simpler, but the motor fixing ring can move or rotate relative to the motor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor fixing ring stabilityVSAvoidfixing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing ring design incorporates self-positioning features that automatically ensure proper alignment and prevent movement. The circular blind slot receives the ring body to prevent radial movement, while the anti-rotation notch engages with the anti-rotation plate to prevent rotational movement. These features make the fixing system self-aligning and self-securing, improving reliability without requiring complex external fixing 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

Enhances cooling efficiency and overall performance by effectively dissipating motor heat, preventing overheating and improving the inflator's operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling fan of the inflator is provided for flowing air along an air gap between an outer surface of the motor and an inner surface of a casing to dissipate the heat generated by the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3767805B1Inflator having motor fixing ring
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 DONGGUAN RICHTEK ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3767805B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3767805B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3767805B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An inflator with a motor fixing ring (4) includes a casing (1), and a core (2) and a motor installed in the casing (1). The motor is for driving the core (2) to inflate an external object. The inflator further includes a motor fixing ring (4) sheathed on the motor (3) and clamped between the motor (3) and the casing (1). An air gap is formed between an outer surface of the motor (3) and an inner surface of the casing (1). During the use of the inflator, the motor fixing ring (4) is sheathed on the motor (3), and the motor (3) is installed into the casing (1), so that the motor fixing ring (4) is clamped between the motor (3) and the casing (1). A cooling fan of the inflator is provided for flowing air along the air gap to dissipate the heat generated by the motor (3), so as to improve the cooling efficiency of the motor (3) and the performance of the inflator.