Asymmetric Stator-Vane Connection Preventing Turbofan Misassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing stator-vane structures in turbo fan engines face challenges with erroneous assembly of straightening plates due to the need for multiple types of straightening plates corresponding to different vane types, leading to potential misassembly and aerodynamic inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The stator-vane structure incorporates a design where the positions of connection portions on straightening plates correspond to specific vane types, ensuring that only correctly shaped plates can be assembled, preventing misalignment through matching positions and shapes of connection portions and identification markings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of straightening plates are prepared to match different vane types, then the adaptability to different stator vane configurations is improved, but the risk of erroneous assembly increases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portions on the straightening plate are designed with asymmetric positioning and shapes that correspond to specific vane types. Each connection portion has a unique geometry that only matches its designated stator vane, creating an asymmetric fit that prevents erroneous assembly while maintaining adaptability across different vane configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The straightening plate is pre-configured with connection portions at specific positions and orientations before assembly. The connection portions are designed in advance with unique shapes and positions that predeterminedly match only specific stator vane types, allowing the plate to be assembled in only the correct orientation and position, thereby preventing misassembly
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of straightening plates are prepared to match different vane types, then the adaptability to different stator vane configurations is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single straightening plate design incorporates multiple connection portions with different shapes and positions, allowing one plate type to serve multiple functions across different stator vane configurations. The plate can be rotated or repositioned to match various vane type combinations, reducing the total number of unique plate types needed while maintaining high adaptability
3Reliability
If straightening plates with different shapes are assembled for different vane types, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but the risk of wrong assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
Connection portions are designed with asymmetric shapes and positions that create a unique fit for each stator vane type combination. The asymmetric design provides tactile and visual feedback during assembly, making it immediately apparent when a plate is correctly matched to its stator vanes, thereby preventing wrong assembly while maintaining aerodynamic optimization
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
When a combination of a vane type of a stator vane and a vane type of a stator vane for one straightening plate is the same as a combination of a vane type of a stator vane and a vane type of a stator vane for the other straightening plate, positions of the first straightening plate side connection portions and the second straightening plate side connection portions of the one straightening plate and the other straightening plate are the same as each other. When the combinations are different from each other, at least one of the positions of the first straightening plate side connection portions of the one straightening plate and the other straightening plate and the positions of the second straightening plate side connection portions of the one straightening plate and the other straightening plate are different from each other.