Integrated-Ring Centrifugal Oven Fan for Low-Waste Manufacture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oven fans face issues with high material waste and energy consumption due to the shearing process for the support disc and frontal ring, and they struggle with accurate temperature measurement in combined steam ovens, leading to inefficient cooking control.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal fan design with a support plate and ring made from a single metallic plate, where the ring is positioned between the blades to reduce material usage and weight, and a non-interference zone is created to house a temperature sensor protected from water vapor, allowing precise temperature measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the support disc and frontal ring are made by shearing separate working plates, then the fan can be manufactured, but high quantities of raw material are used and considerable waste material is produced
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate and ring are merged into a single integrated component made from one working plate. The patent describes that the ring is formed as an integral part of the support plate through a single shearing operation, eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble separate parts. This merging reduces raw material consumption and waste while maintaining structural integrity and ease of manufacture.
2Strength
If the frontal ring is arranged peripherally with respect to the fan, then the fan structure is complete, but the fan has high inertia requiring high energy consumption by the electric motor
Solution Approach 1:
The ring is segmented and integrated directly into the support plate structure rather than being a separate peripheral component. The patent shows the ring formed as an integral feature of the support plate, positioned between the blades but not as a heavy peripheral addition. This segmentation and integration reduces the moment of inertia while preserving the structural function of the ring.
3Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is placed in the cooking chamber downstream of the heating elements, then the sensor can read temperature, but it only reads local temperature value and not the temperature value of the air that circulates throughout the entire cooking chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The ring structure serves as an intermediary platform that enables the temperature sensor to be positioned in the air flow path between the fan and heating elements. The patent describes the ring as providing a mounting surface for the temperature sensor, allowing it to measure the temperature of circulating air rather than localized heated air, thus providing more accurate temperature control information.
4Adaptability or versatility
If water vapor production means spray water on the blades, then atomization occurs to increase humidity, but the temperature sensor cannot accurately measure air temperature due to water interference
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the water spray zone and positioned on the ring structure that is shielded from direct water contact. The patent shows the ring positioned between the water spray direction and the sensor, creating a protected measurement zone. This extraction of the sensor from the harmful water environment maintains measurement accuracy while preserving the steam generation function.
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 design reduces material waste and energy consumption while enabling accurate temperature control within the cooking chamber, enhancing the fan's structural strength and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a fan (in particular of centrifugal type) arranged within the cooking chamber and actuatable for generating a flow of hot air that circulates in the cooking chamber itself
Implementation Method 2
heating means adapted to heat the air within the cooking chamber
Implementation Method 3
the air flow intercepts the electrical heating element, absorbing the heat thereof
Implementation Method 4
spray a quantity of water frontally on the blades of the fan which determine the atomization thereof following the impact force with the blades themselves
Data Source
AI summary
Fan for ovens, which comprises a support plate and multiple blades projectingly fixed on the support plate and arranged around the rotation axis of the fan. Each blade is provided with a rear edge fixed to the support plate, with an external edge and with an internal edge placed to connect between the rear edge and the external edge and facing the front side of the fan. The fan also comprises a ring fixed to the blades, positioned in a position substantially intermediate between the internal edge of the blades and the support plate in order to create a non-interference zone.