Slinger Shield Structure for Motor Ingress Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for preventing fluid entry into electric motors and rotating equipment, such as water repellent motor seals and labyrinth seals, are either expensive or ineffective in achieving high ingress protection standards like IP-55, while current slinger shields provide limited protection due to small radial and axial clearances.
Innovation Solution
A slinger shield structure comprising annular discs with radial vanes and a hub, which generates a positive pressure head to centrifugally expel fluids and particulate matter through radial channels and drainage channels, achieving effective fluid expulsion and meeting IP-55 standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If labyrinth seals are used to prevent fluid entry, then ingress protection level is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The slinger shield is segmented into multiple functional zones: an axial admission section with holes for fluid intake, radial channels for fluid transport, and a peripheral ejection section. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving IP-55 protection without the complexity of labyrinth seals
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from the traditional planar seal face to a three-dimensional slinger shield structure with axial, radial, and peripheral components. The radial channels and peripheral ejection features add dimensional complexity that enables effective fluid expulsion while maintaining overall structural simplicity
2Ease of manufacture
If water repellent motor seals are used to prevent fluid entry, then cost is reduced, but ingress protection level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The slinger shield utilizes centrifugal hydraulic action to expel fluid through radial channels and peripheral ejection features. The rotating shield creates centrifugal force that actively throws water outward, providing positive protection rather than relying on passive water-repellent surface properties
Solution Approach 2:
The slinger shield is self-actuating through rotation. The rotating structure automatically admits fluid axially, transports it radially through channels, and ejects it peripherally without requiring external control systems or complex sealing mechanisms, achieving cost-effective IP-55 protection
3Volume of moving object
If small radial clearance is provided between slinger shield and end shield, then structural compactness is improved, but fluid entry resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The slinger shield transforms the static clearance space into a dynamic fluid transport system. During rotation, the small radial clearance becomes active radial channels that utilize centrifugal force to rapidly expel fluid, converting a potential weakness into an active protection mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The axial admission holes and radial channels are pre-configured to intercept and redirect fluid before it can penetrate deeply into the motor. The peripheral ejection features are positioned to expel fluid at the earliest opportunity, preventing fluid accumulation
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 expels fluids and particulate matter, ensuring the performance of electric motors and rotating equipment is not degraded by fluid entry, while being cost-effective and meeting Ingress Protection 55 standards.
Implementation Method 1
the annular slinger shield including a body, which axially admits fluid from between the end shield and the annular slinger shield, having an interior defining channels through which the admitted fluid is centrifugally forced to flow by annular slinger shield rotation
Implementation Method 2
radial vanes suspended between the first and second annular discs at a distance from the hub to generate a positive pressure head to drive particulate matter and fluid passing through the through-holes away from the hub during rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A slinger shield structure is provided and includes a first annular disc, having a body, opposing faces defining an aperture extending through the body and through-holes extending through the body, which are arrayed around the aperture, a second annular disc having a body and opposing faces defining an aperture extending through the body, a hub for connection with the first and second annular discs at the respective apertures and radial vanes suspended between the first and second annular discs at a distance from the hub to define radial channels between adjacent radial vanes and drainage channels between the radial vanes and the hub.