Spring Push Blade Iron Lock for Ceiling Fans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing blade arms to ceiling fan motors are tedious and difficult, requiring alignment and tool-based assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A dual spring biased latch mechanism that allows for tool-free assembly of blade irons to a motor-rotor housing, utilizing a side protruding end that hooks into an L-shaped cavity and a spring biased latch member to lock the blade in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional screwing methods are used to attach blade arms to motor housing, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the assembly process is time-consuming and requires tools
Solution Approach 1:
The blade arm assembly performs its own attachment to the motor housing using spring-loaded latch members that automatically engage with slots in the housing when the blade arm is inserted, eliminating the need for external tools or manual screwing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The latch members are designed to be movable and spring-loaded, allowing them to dynamically adjust during assembly - they are compressed during insertion and automatically lock into place, providing both ease of assembly and secure connection
2Ease of operation
If curved end connectors are used on blade arms, then tool-free assembly is enabled, but precise alignment with slots on motor housing is required which is tedious and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The blade arm features an asymmetric T-shaped cutout that corresponds to the asymmetric slot configuration in the motor housing, providing built-in alignment guidance that eliminates the need for precise manual alignment while maintaining tool-free assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded latch members act as intermediaries between the blade arm and motor housing, absorbing alignment tolerances through their elastic deformation and automatically positioning themselves to engage with the slots without requiring precise initial alignment
3Ease of manufacture
If unique shaped ends are used on blade arms for push-and-turn mounting, then attachment is achieved, but alignment with mateable side slots is tedious and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the assembler to manually align and insert the blade arm into slots, the spring-loaded latch members are inverted to actively engage with the blade arm's T-shaped cutout and pull it into proper alignment automatically during the insertion process
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
Facilitates easy and efficient attachment of ceiling fan blades to the motor-rotor housing without the need for tools, reducing assembly time and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a spring biased latch member is under the L-shaped cavity, the latch member having an angled front face in the direction of the blade arm. The spring biased latch member is pushed inward inside the motor-rotor housing
Implementation Method 2
the protruding end pushes against a horizontal spring biased member in a motor/rotor bracket and when the blade is moved downward the catch end hooks over a curb edge inside the motor housing, and the spring pushes the horizontal spring based member outward locking the blade in place
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for an easy to a dual latch system that work simultaneously for locking a blade iron part of a ceiling fan blade to a motor-rotor housing. A first mechanism includes a protruding catch end with a vertical slot through the blade iron. The protruding end of the blade arm is pushed against a spring biased ledge member in the motor-rotor fan housing and when the blade iron is moved downward the protruding catch end hooks about an upwardly raised member inside the motor housing, and when the spring pushes the ledge member outward locks the blade in place with the first mechanism. The second mechanism includes a spring biased latch member with angled face under the first mechanism. A fixed protrusion under the blade iron in the direction of the motor-rotor housing forms a gap between the blade iron and the tab. When the protruding catch end of the blade iron is moved downward, the latch member is pushed outward by the spring and the angled front face of the spring-based latch member is directed into the gap, actuating the second latch mechanism.