Sickle-Blade Fan Wheel Geometry for High Airflow and Low Vibration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fan wheels for motor vehicles face challenges in achieving high air volume flow rates without causing air stream splitting, high-frequency vibrations, and increased manufacturing costs, particularly at low vehicle speeds.
Innovation Solution
A fan wheel design with a flat profile, sickle-shaped blades angled relative to the rotational axis, and a hub with a cup-shaped structure, connected to an outer ring, forming obtuse angles for stable connections and reduced air resistance, allowing for increased air volume without increasing rotational speed or diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the fan wheel is rotated at a comparatively high rotational speed to achieve high air volume flow rate, then the air volume flow rate is improved, but air stream splitting and high-frequency vibrations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The fan blades are designed with a sickle shape featuring curved surfaces instead of straight edges. The blades have a concave side facing the rotational direction and a convex side facing opposite to it. This curvature design optimizes airflow patterns, reduces air stream splitting, and minimizes high-frequency vibrations while maintaining high air volume flow rate at moderate rotational speeds.
2Productivity
If the diameter of the fan wheel is increased to achieve high air volume flow rate, then the air volume flow rate is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the fan wheel diameter, the invention optimizes the blade geometry parameters. The sickle-shaped blades with specific curvature radii, angles, and profiles enable the fan wheel to move larger air volumes at smaller diameters. The blade length, width, and curvature are carefully designed to maximize airflow efficiency without increasing the overall fan wheel size.
3Productivity
If a comparatively powerful electric motor is used to rotate the fan wheel at high speed, then the air volume flow rate is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sickle-shaped blade design with optimized curvature and geometry improves aerodynamic efficiency, allowing the fan wheel to achieve high air volume flow rates at lower rotational speeds. This reduces the power requirements of the electric motor, enabling the use of less powerful and more cost-effective motors while maintaining high productivity.
4Productivity
If the fan blades are sickled to increase their length, then the air volume flow rate is improved, but the radius of the fan wheel must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The sickle-shaped blades extend in the axial direction (parallel to rotational axis) rather than only radially outward. This allows the blades to have increased effective length for moving air without proportionally increasing the fan wheel radius. The blades are inclined at angles between 10° and 40° relative to the rotational axis, enabling them to engage with air over a longer path while maintaining a compact radial footprint.
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 design enhances air volume flow, reduces vibrations, and improves acoustics while maintaining robustness and reducing manufacturing costs, thus increasing performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The fan wheel is suited, in particular provided and configured, for being rotated about a rotational axis. During operation, air is thus moved along the rotational axis by means of the fan wheel.
Implementation Method 2
For recooling the coolant/refrigerant, a radiator network that is in heat exchange with the coolant/refrigerant and acted on by an airflow is typically used.
Data Source
AI summary
A fan wheel for a motor vehicle having a hub to which a number of sickled fan blades are connected, each having a front edge and a rear edge. At an end the blades are connected to an outer ring. A first angle is formed between the front edge and the outer ring, and a second angle is formed between the rear edge and the outer ring, whereby both angles are greater than 90°. A radiator fan for a motor vehicle is also provided.