Rectangular-to-Circular Motor Adapter for Flexible Hood Volutes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction devices for hoods lack versatility and flexibility in housing different types of electric motors, leading to increased production costs due to the need for custom volutes and molds for each motor configuration.

Innovation Solution

An adapter for suction devices that houses electric motors, featuring a rectangular end for engaging with the motor and a circular end for mating with the volute, with through holes and guiding/hooking elements to securely fasten the motor to the volute, allowing the same volute to accommodate various motor types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a volute is configured for a specific type of electric motor, then the motor housing is optimized for that motor, but the production costs increase due to the need for different plastic moulding for each motor type

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costsVSAvoidmotor housing versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The volute is designed with a universal mounting interface that can accommodate multiple types of electric motors through standardized motor mounting plates. This allows a single volute design to house different motor types (e.g., different brands, sizes, or configurations) without requiring custom plastic moulding for each motor variant, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining adaptability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The motor housing system is segmented into modular components: the volute body and detachable motor mounting plates. This segmentation allows the mounting plates to be easily replaced or adjusted for different motor types without redesigning the entire volute, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while preserving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If different types of electric motors are accommodated in the same volute, then versatility and flexibility increase, but the device complexity increases due to the need for adapter mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor accommodation flexibilityVSAvoidvolute structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A universal motor mounting plate design is implemented that can interface with various motor types through standardized mounting patterns. This approach achieves versatility without requiring complex adapter mechanisms, as the mounting plate itself is designed to accommodate multiple motor configurations directly, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining flexibility.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The motor mounting system incorporates adjustable or reconfigurable mounting elements that can be dynamically positioned or configured to match different motor types. This dynamic adaptability allows the same volute to house various motors without requiring multiple fixed designs, reducing overall system complexity while preserving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3037672B1Adapter in a suction device for a hood
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 WHIRLPOOL EMEA SPA
  • EP3037672B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3037672B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3037672B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to an adapter (404) for a suction device (401) comprising an electric motor (402) that drives an impeller (403) and further comprising a volute (201) that houses said electric motor (402) and said impeller (403), such adapter (404) comprising a substantially rectangular first shaped end (501) configured to engage with said electric motor (402), and further comprising a substantially circular second shaped end (502) configured to mate with the volute (201); the adapter (404) further comprises a plurality of through holes (503) for fastening the electric motor (402) to the volute (201). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a related suction device (401) and a related range hood (101).