Propeller Hub Adaptor with Resilient Inserts for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing propeller assemblies for marine vehicles require individual designs for different motor brands, leading to inventory challenges and cost inefficiencies, and they often experience unnecessary movement and gear noise at low revolutions per minute, which reduces efficiency and increases noise.
Innovation Solution
A propeller assembly with a hub structure featuring a connection assembly that includes an adaptor with diverging key pairs and resilient inserts, which securely attaches to the propeller shaft, preventing unnecessary movement and reducing gear noise by using a locking nut and washer system, allowing for easy adaptation to different motor brands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a removable propeller housing is used to reduce inventory costs and improve adaptability, then adaptability and ease of manufacture are improved, but unnecessary movement and gear noise occur at low rpm
Solution Approach 1:
A hub assembly acts as an intermediary component between the propeller shaft and the propeller housing. This hub assembly includes a drive member with splines that engage the propeller shaft, and an outer surface that engages the propeller housing, thereby mediating the connection and preventing unnecessary movement while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The hub assembly is designed as a replaceable, cost-effective component that can be easily manufactured and replaced. By making the hub assembly a disposable-like component rather than designing complex permanent connections, the system achieves adaptability to different motor brands while preventing gear noise through proper mechanical engagement
2Device complexity
If the propeller assembly is constructed as a unit with welded blades to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different motor brands is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller assembly is segmented into distinct components: the propeller housing with blades, the hub assembly, and the propeller shaft. This segmentation allows the hub assembly to be adapted for different motor brands while keeping the propeller housing design relatively simple and standardized
Solution Approach 2:
The hub assembly serves multiple functions: it connects to different propeller shafts from various motor brands, transmits rotational movement, and prevents unnecessary movement. This multi-functionality allows a single hub assembly design to work with multiple motor brands, achieving universality without significantly increasing overall device complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If standard bushing assemblies are used to translate rotational movement, then ease of manufacture is improved, but unnecessary movement occurs that reduces drive system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The hub assembly acts as an intermediary between the bushing assembly and the propeller housing, providing additional engagement surfaces through splines and keyed connections. This intermediary structure prevents unnecessary movement while maintaining the simplicity of using standard bushing assemblies
Solution Approach 2:
The drive member includes a spherical engagement surface that works with the bushing assembly to translate rotational movement while preventing unwanted movements. The curved geometry provides smooth rotational translation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
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 solution effectively prevents unnecessary movement and noise at low revolutions, enhancing the marine vehicle's drive system efficiency and allowing for easy replacement of components, while being simple and cost-effective to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient insert 32 received on the spindle 62
Implementation Method 2
A bushing formed from a rubber or elastomeric material is provided between the inner surface of the inner housing and the outer surface of the drive member. The elastomeric bushing provides shock absorbency between the propeller hub assembly and the drive shaft.
Data Source
AI summary
A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a hub structure having a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades projecting therefrom and an inner surface defining a passage. An adaptor is receivable in the passage of the hub structure. The adaptor a plurality of key pairs extending along the outer surface thereof the adaptor which define slots for receiving inserts therein. An inner portion of the first side of each insert forms mating relationship with first portion of the first sidewall of a first key of a corresponding key pair and an inner portion of the second side of the insert forms a mating relationship with the first portion of the second sidewall of a second key of the corresponding key pair with the insert received in the corresponding slot.