Inline Fan Motor Land Height Adjustment for Soldering Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of inline type fan motors is complex and costly due to the difficulty in soldering leads to circuit boards within the frame, especially in small motors, requiring multiple processes and increasing manufacturing expenses.

Innovation Solution

The integration of block components with conductive properties on the circuit board lands increases their height, allowing leads to be soldered while the board is incorporated into the frame, simplifying the assembly process and reducing the number of steps required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the circuit board is disposed at a position recessed from the frame surface to fit within the frame, then the compactness of the fan motor is improved, but the ease of soldering leads to the circuit board deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompactnessVSAvoidease of soldering
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a third dimension by adding a height component to the land structure. Block components are mounted on the land to increase its height, transforming the soldering surface from a flat two-dimensional plane to a three-dimensional elevated structure. This dimensional change allows the circuit board to remain recessed in the frame while providing sufficient soldering access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The block component serves as an intermediary element between the land and the lead. By mounting the block component on the land, it creates an intermediate soldering surface that is elevated and accessible, facilitating the soldering process without requiring the circuit board to be positioned externally to the frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the leads are soldered to the lands outside the frame of the fan motor, then the ease of soldering is improved, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of solderingVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the soldering operation with the circuit board incorporation process. By providing elevated lands that allow soldering while the circuit board is incorporated into the frame, the previously separate operations of soldering and assembly are combined into a single integrated process, reducing overall assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The block components are mounted on the lands in advance during circuit board preparation, creating pre-elevated soldering surfaces. This preliminary action ensures that when the circuit board is incorporated into the frame, the soldering can be performed immediately without additional external handling steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of substance

If the wire harness has a short lead length to reduce material usage, then the loss of substance is improved, but the ease of handling and soldering deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial usageVSAvoidease of handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality enhancement by selectively increasing the height of the land only at the soldering location where the lead connects. This localized modification provides sufficient handling and soldering space exactly where needed, while maintaining short lead lengths elsewhere to minimize material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2811627B1Fan motor, inline type fan motor and assembly method of the same
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 SANYO DENKI CO LTD
  • EP2811627B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2811627B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2811627B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A fan motor comprising: a stator around which a winding is wound; a rotor that includes a permanent magnet and is configured to rotate along the stator; and an impeller that is fixed on the rotor and includes a plurality of rotor blades, wherein block components having a conductive property are mounted on lands for connection to a harness so as to increase the height of the lands on a circuit board which is to be connected to windings.