Removable Shoulder Screw Assembly for Non-Bending Fan Flange Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical systems, such as cooling fans, face issues with stress and flexure due to traditional screw and bolt mounting methods, leading to potential bending and deformation of fan flanges, which can result in cracking or improper alignment, and existing shoulder bolts present challenges with hole size compatibility and thread strength.
Innovation Solution
The use of a removable shoulder screw assembly, comprising a first screw shaft portion, a second screw shaft portion with a smaller diameter, a threaded portion, and a removable shoulder that engages the shaft edge, along with a spring and clip configuration, allows for secure clamping without bending the fan flanges, using a single screw to engage both fan flanges and applying clamping force at the removable shoulder, thus preventing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional screw and bolt mounting methods are used, then assembly is simple, but stress and flexure cause bending and deformation of fan flanges
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into distinct functional components: a shoulder screw for positioning, a separate shoulder for clamping, and a lock mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the shoulder screw engages the fan flange hole without causing deformation, while the separate shoulder provides the clamping force, thus resolving the contradiction between assembly simplicity and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable shoulder acts as an intermediary element between the screw and the fan flange. It receives the clamping force from the screw and distributes it evenly across the fan flange surface, preventing stress concentration and deformation. This intermediary component enables secure mounting while maintaining fan flange alignment.
2Manufacturing precision
If shoulder bolts are used to prevent fan flange bending, then fan flange deformation is reduced, but hole size compatibility and thread strength are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The screw design incorporates local quality variations with different diameter sections: a first diameter portion for engaging the fan flange hole (providing strength), a reduced diameter section for passing through, and a shoulder portion for clamping. This local differentiation allows the screw to maintain thread strength in the engagement area while providing the necessary geometry for preventing fan flange deformation through the shoulder clamping mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single fan design is used for both intake and exhaust applications, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but mounting adaptability is required
Solution Approach 1:
The removable shoulder screw assembly is designed as a universal mounting solution that can be used for both intake and exhaust fan applications. The standardized shoulder screw and shoulder combination provides consistent clamping force and positioning regardless of the fan orientation or application type, enabling a single fan design to serve multiple purposes while maintaining mounting flexibility through the adjustable lock mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A screw assembly, including: a removable shoulder screw including: a first screw shaft portion; a second screw shaft portion; a first threaded portion; and a first shaft edge between the first screw shaft portion and the second screw shaft portion, wherein the second screw shaft portion is between the first screw shaft portion and the first threaded portion, and wherein a diameter of the second screw shaft portion is smaller than the diameter of the first screw shaft portion; and a first removable shoulder including a first removable shoulder opening and a first removable shoulder edge, wherein the first removable shoulder opening has a diameter less than the diameter of the first screw shaft portion and is configured to engage the second screw shaft portion, and wherein the first removable shoulder edge is configured to engage the first shaft edge.