Pre-assembled Fan Blade with Eccentric Pin for Cooling Radiators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fan blade systems for cooling vehicles, particularly agricultural tractors and off-road vehicles, face issues with debris accumulation on radiators due to air flow, leading to reduced cooling efficiency and overheating, and require complex and costly mechanisms for controlled rotation and stabilization, which are not always feasible for installation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A blade design with a pre-assembled structure featuring a shank, blade flange, disk, and eccentric pin, allowing for precise angular orientation and adjustment, combined with a hub and actuation apparatus using an epicyclic reduction gear and rack mechanism for controlled rotation, enabling easy installation and efficient air flow management without auxiliary devices or complex connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a double screw/female thread connection is used to fasten the blade and adjustment device, then the blade can be assembled, but the relative angular position becomes imprecise and non-constant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidangular position precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into separate functional elements: a threaded hole in the blade shank for basic assembly, and a dedicated positioning means (protrusion-recess mechanism) for precise angular orientation. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function optimally without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning means is pre-configured with specific geometric features (protrusions and recesses) that automatically establish the correct angular orientation when the blade is assembled. The relative angular position is predetermined by the geometry of the positioning elements rather than relying on thread precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the blade position is adjusted to different inflow angles, then the air flow can be controlled, but the blade position becomes unstable and requires complicated auxiliary locking elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinflow angle adjustmentVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade's angular position is made dynamically adjustable through the positioning means, allowing the inflow angle to be changed according to operating conditions. The system transitions from a fixed position to a controllable variable position, enabling adaptation to different cooling requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The complicated mechanical locking system with counterweights is replaced by a simpler positioning mechanism using eccentric pins and rack-gear interactions. The air thrust itself becomes part of the positioning system rather than requiring separate locking elements to counteract it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the fan draws air through the radiator for cooling, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but debris accumulates on the radiator causing blockage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoiddebris accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fan operation is made periodic rather than continuous, alternating between cooling cycles and cleaning cycles. During cleaning cycles, the fan reverses or redirects airflow to blow debris off the radiator. This periodic switching allows the system to maintain high cooling efficiency while periodically eliminating the harmful debris accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The airflow direction is reversed during cleaning cycles. Instead of drawing air through the radiator for cooling, the fan propels air onto the radiator in the opposite direction to dislodge and remove accumulated debris. This inversion of the normal cooling airflow achieves the cleaning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If controlled rotation of fan blades is implemented using fluid-dynamic apparatus, then the rotation can be controlled, but special means for supplying fluid are required which increase costs and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation controlVSAvoidfluid supply system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the air flow itself, already present in the cooling system, to control blade rotation through fluid-dynamic forces. No separate fluid supply system is needed - the cooling air serves dual purposes: both cooling the engine and controlling blade position through its flow characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The air flow in the cooling system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the engine through the radiator and also controls the rotation and positioning of the fan blades through fluid-dynamic interaction with the blade surfaces. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate control fluid systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Ensures uniform angular orientation of blades for improved fluid-dynamic effects, reducing energy consumption and enabling easy maintenance, while allowing for reversible air flow to clean radiators, thus enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

the cooling fluid is cooled by the ambient air which is forced to pass through the radiator by the sucking action of a rotating fan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

causing dissipation of the heat from the cooling fluid contained inside it, which is at a higher temperature, into the external environment, which is at a lower temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Implementation Method 3

A blade design with a pre-assembled structure featuring a shank, blade flange, disk, and eccentric pin, allowing for precise angular orientation and adjustment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Implementation Method 4

combined with a hub and actuation apparatus using an epicyclic reduction gear and rack mechanism for controlled rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRack and pinion mechanism: Rack and Pinion

Implementation Method 5

actuation apparatus using an epicyclic reduction gear and rack mechanism for controlled rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEpicyclic gearing: Epicyclic Gearing

Data Source

PatentEP3485172B1Pre-assembled blade for fans for cooling the cooling fluid of machines/vehicles and fan equipped with said blade
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 BARUFFALDI SPA
  • EP3485172B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3485172B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3485172B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Pre-assembled blade (20) for fans (10) for cooling the cooling fluid contained inside the radiator (1) of operating machines and/or vehicles, comprising a blade body (20a) joined together with an axial shank (21), wherein the shank (21) has at least one hole (21c) with a female thread and wherein the blade (20) comprises -) a blade flange (22) -) a disk (23) having at least one through-hole (23a) coaxial, when the blade is assembled, with the said at least one hole (21c) in the shank (21); -) an eccentric pin (24) joined to the said disk (23) and comprising outer teeth 24a designed to mesh with a rack of a device (70) for adjusting the inflow angle of the blade (20).