Segmented Fan Hood and Grille for Vibration-Stable Transmissions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transmission systems with fan arrangements face challenges in achieving simple and cost-effective production while maintaining stability against mechanical vibrations and resonance, with complex assembly processes being a significant disadvantage.

Innovation Solution

The transmission system incorporates a fan arrangement with a fan wheel connected to the gearbox's driving shaft, a hood formed from two sheet metal parts, and a grille made from two polygonally shaped grid parts, which are connected using screws, providing increased stability and suppressing resonance vibrations through non-parallel alignment and efficient use of sheet metal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the fan cover is formed from multiple parts connected by screws, then the stability against vibrations is improved, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability against vibrationsVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fan cover is divided into multiple parts (first cover part and second cover part) that are connected together. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured separately and assembled with screws, providing vibration damping through the joint connections while maintaining manageable assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fan cover assembly combines sheet metal parts with fastening elements (screws) to create a composite structure. This composite construction provides both the structural integrity needed for vibration resistance and the flexibility to assemble from pre-manufactured components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If the grille is formed from multiple smaller parts, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grille is segmented into multiple smaller parts that can be manufactured using simple stamping and bending processes. Each grille part is smaller and easier to manufacture than a single large grille, but they must be assembled together, increasing the assembly steps required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grille parts are arranged in a specific spatial configuration around the fan wheel, utilizing different angular positions. This dimensional arrangement allows each part to be manufactured separately in a simple 2D shape that is then positioned in 3D space during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the hood parts are made with non-parallel dividing lines, then the stability against mechanical vibrations is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability against mechanical vibrationsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dividing lines of the hood parts are arranged non-parallel to each other, creating an asymmetric configuration. This asymmetric arrangement breaks symmetry in the vibration modes, reducing resonant vibrations and improving overall stability against mechanical vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The hood parts utilize curved surfaces and rounded contours in their design. The curved geometry helps distribute stress more evenly and can reduce vibration concentrations compared to sharp angular transitions, while still maintaining the non-parallel dividing line configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

This design enhances stability against mechanical vibrations, simplifies production, and ensures effective cooling by evenly distributing air flow around the gearbox, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and preventing human intervention.

Implementation Method 1

a fan assembly (20; 100) having a fan wheel (20), a hood (1; 2) and a grille (3; 4), wherein the fan wheel (20) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the input shaft (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3948028B1Transmission having a fan assembly
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3948028B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3948028B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3948028B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a transmission having a fan assembly, wherein: the fan assembly has a fan wheel, a hood and a grille; the fan wheel is connected to the driving shaft of the transmission for conjoint rotation; the fan hood is fastened to a retaining frame, which in particular is designed as a multi-piece retaining frame and is fastened to the housing of the transmission; the grille is formed from two grille parts, the first separating line of which is a straight line or is formed from two straight lines in alignment with one another; the hood is formed from two hood parts, the second separating line of which is a flat curve composed of straight line segments.